Visitors will be pleased to know we have no snakes in Bermuda, but you may discover our lizards (also known as anoles) and sea turtles basking in the warmth of the sun. They certainly have the right idea.

Bermuda Rock Lizard (Eumeces longirostris)

 

The original Bermudian citizen, this lizard was the only non-flying, non-marine vertebrate on our island before human settlement. Once plentiful, this special lizard is now critically endangered, threatened by habitat loss, wild and domestic predators and, sadly, by litter.

• While the lizard’s feet are well adapted to climbing, its claws are unable to gain a foothold on smooth surfaces. So when a lizard enters a discarded bottle or can, it becomes a prisoner and eventually dies from starvation, drowning or heat stress
• The rock lizard lives in cliffs or old walls and feeds primarily on insects
• You may find this lizard scurrying about rocky outcroppings on our coastal cliffs and offshore islands

Anoles

 

Adding their ever-changing hues to our already colourful landscape, the anoles of Bermuda may surprise you. Like chameleons, anoles possess special structures within their skin cells allowing them to change from green to blue to yellow to brown.

• Often found clinging vertically to trees and walls, anoles feature microscopic hooks on their toes, enabling them to defy gravity
• Contrary to popular belief, these lizards do not change colour to match their background, but change based on temperature and state of mind
• Bermudian anoles feed primarily on flies, beetles, ants and spiders
• They drink dewdrops or sprayed water in our numerous gardens

Jamaican anole (Anolis garmani)

 

Commonly kept as vivarium pets, this pretty creature changes colours rapidly from dark browns to vivid greens and striking blues. The male Jamaican anole has a bright orange throat pouch it employs during courtship displays.

Somerset Lizard (Anolis roquet)

 

Also known as the blue anole, the Somerset Lizard is particularly beautiful. Its bright yellow tail is covered with subtle green and blue toning with light orange mottling. Look for this lizard’s distinctive black eye patches.

Warwick Lizard (Anolis leachii)

 

One of the Lesser Antillean giant anoles, this large lizard can reach up to 37CM / 14.5IN long. An introduced species in Bermuda, it originated in the Antigua-Barbuda island bank. The Warwick Lizard can be identified by its bold gold-coloured eye ring and golden-streaked flanks. Look for its pale yellow underbelly and green legs with a delicate pattern of dark brown speckles.