Jesus Lizards Are Running Wild Across Florida
Monday, February 20th is the beginning of National Invasive Species Awareness Week and Jesus Lizards are running wild across Florida.
It’s very well known that the green iguana is an invasive species in Florida. Now, there’s another lizard on the loose that’s up to no good.
Scientists at the University of Florida are asking residents to keep their eyes peeled for brown basilisk lizards, also known as “Jesus lizards”. But what exactly are brown basilisks? They are dark brown or olive color, have long thin tails and a yellow stripe down each side of their body. The “Jesus lizard” nickname comes from their ability to run across water.
The name basilisk comes from a Greek mythology creature. It was said to be a serpent with the power to kill with a single glance. Fortunately, brown basilisks are not deadly. But, they could be having a negative impact on our environment. In Florida, brown basilisks are considered an invasive species. They were brought over from Central and South America as exotic pets and have since escaped into the wild. While they are fascinating to observe, they can disrupt the natural ecosystem and compete with native species for resources.
These brown basilisk lizards are running wild throughout south and central Florida. UF wildlife specialists are trying to determine where exactly they’re invading, where they’re heading and how many are out there. These lizards are experts at camouflage and can blend seamlessly into their surroundings, making them difficult to spot. But if you do see one, scientists are asking residents to report it. You can do so here or you can download the IveGot1 app.
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Athens, Georgia
Many people know Athens as the home of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Other things to enjoy are the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden and Bear Hollow Zoo.
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Baku, Azerbaijan
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Bansko, Bulgaria
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Botswana
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Bucharest, Romania
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Canary Islands, Spain
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Carcassonne, France
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Chattanooga, Tennessee
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Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Corsica
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Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
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Curaçao
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Cyprus
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Edinburgh, Scotland
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Encinitas, California
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El Palmar de Vejer, Spain
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Erding, Germany
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Florianópolis, Brazil
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Gaiman, Argentina
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Hocking Hills, Ohio
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Izmir, Turkey
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Kanab, Utah
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Lübeck, Germany
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Madeira
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Malta
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Marathon, Florida
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Mauritania
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Mauritius
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Medellín, Colombia
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Molde, Norway
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Moorea, French Polynesia
Moorea is less expensive than Bora Bora with plenty of activities: ATV tours, hiking, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia
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Page, Arizona
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Porto, Portugal
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Punta del Diablo, Uruguay
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Qatar
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Riverhead, NY
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Rotorua, New Zealand
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São Miguel, Azores
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Saudi Arabia
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Sète, France
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Seychelles
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Skopje, Macedonia
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St. Albans, West Virginia
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Tasmania, Australia
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Torres Strait Islands, Australia
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Vancouver Island
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