DENR Capture Curly Tailed Lizard Stowaway
A quick response from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources [DENR], prompted by a Customs Officer report, led to the capture of an unusual lizard identified as a northern curly-tailed lizard likely introduced via a shipping container from Florida.
A Envirotalk newsletter stated, “DENR received a phone call on April 27th from a Customs Officer to report the sighting of an unusual looking lizard in the parking lot of a local shipping agent. A DENR officer responded immediately and promptly captured it before the animal was able to disappear into the neighbourhood. It proved to be a northern curly tailed lizard [Leiocephalus carinatus], likely a stowaway in a container imported from Florida.
“This species is native to the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, and Cuba [but introduced to Florida] where it feeds on vegetation, insects, and the occasional frog or small lizard – something our endemic skinks would not appreciate if the species was to become established here. DENR thanks Bermuda Customs for reporting this and for their continued vigilance at these border locations.”
Image provided in the newsletter that they said was via the Internet
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Category: All, Environment
