Peters’s rock agama, a colorful African lizard, is spreading across Florida after arriving via the exotic pet trade. Recognizable by adult males’ orange or red heads, these lizards thrive in urban areas and eat insects. Their spread is aided by hitchhiking on vehicles and possibly trains, with sightings now reported in other states. While isolated individuals can cross state lines, it’s unclear if they can establish breeding populations outside Florida. Wildlife officials warn that high densities may threaten native species, but the full ecological impact remains uncertain.
