A striking red-headed lizard from sub-Saharan Africa has quietly taken over one of downtown Orlando’s most recognizable buildings and is spreading into surrounding neighborhoods.
Peter’s Rock Agama, an invasive species first documented in Florida in 1976, has become so densely concentrated at the former Orlando Sentinel building at 633 N. Orange Avenue [GMap] that folks on Reddit are starting to describe the site as “infested.” And don’t disagree. The sun-baked concrete of the empty and secluded parking lots and the pocked surface of the mid-century office building apparently suits the species perfectly. Groups of the lizards (males displaying vivid orange-red heads, females more muted in gray and brown) can be spotted basking on the building’s exterior walls, window ledges, and surrounding landscaping throughout the day, though they scurry away when approached.
From that base, the lizards have been spreading outward. They’ve been documented crossing Colonial Drive’s heavy traffic to establish a presence in the North Quarter neighborhood to the south, with sightings reported at Steel House, the apartment complex at the corner of Orange Avenue.
The Peter’s rock agama was likely introduced to Florida through the pet trade, since they’re so showy. It was first documented in the state in 1976 and has since established itself in 20 Florida counties, from Monroe to Volusia.
Adult males can reach 12 inches in length. The species feeds primarily on ants, grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects but has also been observed eating snakes, lizards, birds, and small mammals. High population densities, like those visible at the former Sentinel building, can put pressure on native species by competing for food and territory.
Wildlife officials are asking residents to report sightings at MyFWC.com or through the IveGot1 app.
