Skip to main content
Close

West African Rainbow Lizard

Agama agama africana

Photo by JackEng
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

25.6793, -80.2744

Field Notes

Description:

Male West African Rainbow Lizard (Agama agama africana) - a subspecies of Agama agama and a non-native, invasive species to Florida - approx. 24 inches in total length at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Coral Gables, Florida. << Nonstressed breeding males of the West African subspecies have brilliant orange heads, an indigo blue or black body and legs, and a tail that is bluish white at the base and has an orange middle segment and black tail tip. Nonbreeding or stressed males are paler and may lack orange on the head. Females and juveniles have yellow or earthen tones on their backs with some barring, and breeding females may have an orangish or bluish blush on their heads. Males may reach 30 cm (12 in) long, but females are smaller. These active, agile, and wary lizards often bask facing the sun, and sun-warmed lizards are more brightly colored than cooler ones. >>

Habitat:

African Redhead Agama -- Nonnative Wildlife. Species detail --
This African species contains 10 different subspecies, which may vary in color among geographic regions and populations. Present populations in Dade, Charlotte, and Florida's Seminole counties are a West African subspecies (africana), but the Broward Co. populations may consist of some individuals of East African subspecies (Enge et al. 2004b). Nonstressed breeding males of the West African subspecies have brilliant orange heads, an indigo blue or black body and legs, and a tail that is bluish white at the base and has an orange middle segment and black tail tip. Nonbreeding or stressed males are paler and may lack orange on the head. Females and juveniles have yellow or earthen tones on their backs with some barring, and breeding females may have an orangish or bluish blush on their heads. Males may reach 30 cm (12 in) long, but females are smaller. These active, agile, and wary lizards often bask facing the sun, and sun-warmed lizards are more brightly colored than cooler ones (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999). A population observed in the Redland area of Dade County in 2002 used low rock walls around a schoolyard and a nearby neighborhood (Enge et al. 2004b). Wilson and Porras (1983) first reported an established population in Dade County, but they were almost certain that it had been extirpated during extensive demolition in the area. In Africa, agamas mostly feeds on ants, grasshoppers, and beetles (James and Porter 1979), but in some areas or during the dry season, they will feed on flowers, grass, dead leaves, and human food (e.g., candy, bread crumbs, cake, pieces of carrot (Romer 1953, Chapman and Chapman 1964, Harris 1964, Cloudsley-Thompson 1981). Large individuals are cannibalistic and may eat their own young (Harris 1964, Cloudsley-Thompson 1981).
(credit: http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/reptiles/african-redhead-a…)

Notes:

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF THE INTRODUCED
AFRICAN RAINBOW LIZARD, AGAMA AGAMA AFRICANA
(SAURIA: AGAMIDAE), IN FLORIDA http://www.naherpetology.org/pdf_files/291.pdf

Species ID Suggestions

West African Rainbow Lizard

Agama agama africana

Comments (18)

I have couple around the shop Palmetto Florida 3/29/2022
and i do not live by the beach i live in town in a regular house can someone help!!!!!
there now here in Georgia how to get it out my house!!!!!!
I have spotted many between Vero and Ft. Pierce along A1A near beaches
I saw one on Jupiter island 4/25/21 hanging out on a palm tree near the beach
We have them in Indian River County now, south of Vero Beach.
I have located one in the Lower Keys.
I spotted three of them. First sighting was the BBT parking lot in Cutler Bay, FL, 11/2018. Second sighting, my daughter and I walked past a neighbor’s house and saw two males, Palmetto Bay Estates, FL, 4/2019.
I saw one at the Palm Beach International Airport 03/16/19
I saw one in McDonalds parking lot in Palm City, FL. yesterday (3/2/2019)it was a beauty, moving pretty fast to ge out of the way.
We have several of these running around our shop in Mulberry, FL 33860 I have seen males and females.
I saw a male and female trying to mate at the Indian river mall in Vero beach FL
Your spotting has been nominated for the Spotting of the Week. The winner will be chosen by the Project Noah Rangers based on a combination of factors including: uniqueness of the shot, status of the organism (for example, rare or endangered), quality of the information provided in the habitat and description sections. There is a subjective element, of course; the spotting with the highest number of Ranger votes is chosen. Congratulations on being nominated!
Seen one in the trash dumpster area at the Dunkin Donuts in Vero Beach off Oslo and 27th sw
larger male spotted 1405 82nd Avenue Vero Beach, FL. 32966
bayucca, Thank you for your species ID.
Originated from Africa it was introduced in Cuba and Florida.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon