question for people in the south (esp Florida)

[Grumpy's Gal]

When we came to Disney in June, there were these little lizzard type things all over the sidewalks at the hotel. They creeped me out. I had never seen anything like it.

WHAT are those? and are they everywhere? what about indoors? is it all year long? do they bite your children? do your kids catch them?

Is this only in Florida or in the south in general?

 

[CheshireVal]

They are all over the South. I don't really know what they're called, but they don't bite. The are pretty skittish and run away when they feel a person coming. They are usually outdoors, but I have had one sneak into my house once.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No idea what you are talking about-but we have lots and lots of lizards all shapes and sizes.

My cats like to play with them as do my kids.

Not sure what lizard-type things you speak of though.

 

[chris1gill]

They are gecko's!!! I remember the first time I saw them in Cairns, Australia, I was HORRIFIED But I think you will find them in all warm weather states... I believe they eat plants, not humans LOL.... We saw a ton of them in Disney last weekend LOL...

 

[ckmommy]

We have them here in TX. We just call them lizards. My kids do not like them, but our neighbors kids like to catch them. We've had them in our house before--just for a note to yourself, do not call 911 for help to get them out of your house!! I did not really call 911, but it was quite an event getting them out of the house. They still freak me out. I am form the north though, so that is my excuse.

 

[Nickimouse]

They are called Anoles. My DS had one as a pet and his name was Whiplash. Now when we see them we say, there's a whiplash. As a previous poster said, they are skittish and won't bother you.

 

[christinadei]

We have all kinds of lizzards. How did they look? Like really big lizzards? If so, they were probably skinks. They are harmless adn don't bite.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I believe they are called anoles - have also seen them in pet shops.

One time we had one on a chair back in our Treehouse Villa - what fun trying to get him back out! I though DD3 would freak - she thought it was cool.

 

[wfloyd]

The were probably brown (cuban) anoles. We also have green anoles which are native. Then there are a few skinks as well.

Most of the ones I have seen around Disney are the brown anoles though.

 

[ducklite]

We've got them all over the place. They are harmless. They eat bugs, which is a very good thing. They are more afriad of you than you are of them. I have an agreement with them. They are allowed outside, on the lanai, and in the garage, but are not allowed in the house. Once they are in the house they can consider themselves to be quite dead little lizards.

Anne

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

and...anoles have dewlaps (skinks do not)- don't know why that is so funny to me.....dewlaps....did the ones you saw have dewlaps?...just kidding!

 

[luvmydogs]

We have tons of lizards here, and I believe the ones to which you are referring are the anoles.

They do no harm and don't bite--they'll puff out the skin on thier necks when they want to try to scare you. I've had to remove a few from the house (and I try not to kill things, so I look like a lunatic trying to chase them down ) and all they really want to do is get away from you--they won't attack. I've seen a couple babies, and they're teenie-tiny--literally only the length of my fingernail, tail and all.

I find 'em cute. Now, the cockroaches I've seen down here...whole other story!

 

[Aidensmom]

I have lived in Florida for over 20 years, and I never knew they were called anoles! I always just called them lizards. You learn something new everyday.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

Like really big lizzards?

These were small.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

Yeah, those little small lizards are everywhere. My kids love to catch them. I hate when they get in the house too.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

They are more afriad of you than you are of them.

I don't know that this is possible.......

 

[ducklite]

I don't know that this is possible.......

Anne

 

[PrincessKitty]

They're everywhere. I don't know what they are ( I've always called them chameleons), but I grew up with them, so I'm not afraid of them (except I am deathly afraid of stepping on one by mistake...I would hate to squish one!).

For some reason, after the hurricanes in September 2004, we found a bunch of the chameleons in our house for weeks afterwards. By "a bunch," I mean a few per week. Now we see about one every month or so. We catch them by putting a waterglass over them and scooping them up, covering the mouth of the glass with our hand or a magazine, and tossing them outside.

Believe me, there are MUCH WORSE things in Florida that can get into your house!!

 

[Brianne]

We have them all over the place here--my cat likes to stalk them through the window.

The only downside to them, to me, is that I think they tend to attract snakes. We had one in our front yard awhile ago (harmless snake, as it turned out, but we don't do snakes here, so it quickly became a dead snake ). We suspect the snake liked the free lunches.

 

[laurajetter]

I love those little lizards! They are so cute and are actually one of the things I've always enjoyed over the years on all my trips to Walt Disney World, from when I was a kid until now. Don't worry, it would be amazing if they got even remotely close to you; many a time I've tried catching the little buggers just to hold them, but I never even came close! They are jsut too fast!

Laura