An iguana at the Fairchild Botanical Garden. Photo by Diana Robinson.
AA contributor James Stroud thinks it might. In an informative recent article in the Garden’s magazine, The Tropical Garden (go to page 28), James discusses the species, which range from the glorious red-headed agama to six–count ’em, six!–introduced anoles, along with the native green. Of course, introduces species are not a good thing, but at least they’re quality species! You can also read more about them in a recent AA post by James.
Red-headed agama at Fairchild. Photo by James Stroud.
Professor of Biology and Director of the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in Saint Louis. I've spent my entire professional career studying anoles and have discovered that the more I learn about anoles, the more I realize I don't know.
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Armando Pou
In addition to the species listed in the magazine, the amazing Fairchild’s Tropical Garden’s is also home to two more native lizards: the south Florida sub species of Five-Lined Skink (Eumeces inexpectatus) which has become increasingly rare since my youth, and the Florida sub species of Reef Gecko (Sphaerodactylus notatus notatus ) which sadly I have only seen once, out near the coral stone wall. There are also a couple of other exotics including the Spiny-tailed Iguana (Ctenosaura spp. – not sure but the population seems to be hybridized), and near the gardens at a distance I have seen ameivas scurrying about and crossing Old Cutler Road.
James Stroud
Hey Armando, there are no Ctenosaura within the Fairchild grounds. I have seen the Eumeces (however only once!), but not the Sphaerodactylus. Cool sightings on the ameivas! I have never seen any around Old Cutler – where abouts were they?
Howard Youth
Any possibility the largehead anole is there as well?
James Stroud
Hi Howard, never seen A. cybotes in the gardens! There are some spurious reports of past occurrences from years ago.