Classification:Introduced Species - introduced in Florida in Key West, Boca Chica Key, Big Coppit Key, Summerland Key, Stock Island, Middle Torch Key, Little Torch Key, Cudjoe Key, Big Pine Key, Spotswood Key, and Raccoon Key.
Description:S. elegans elegans is small with granular scales. Its snout has a maximum length of 39 millimeters. Its colors range from a red tail to a blue tail, with a green midsection, and always with thin horizontal bands of black across its body. Its limbs are a variously colored and seem almost opaque in comparison to the rest of the body. There are no color differences between male and females in this subspecies. The other subspecies, S. elegans punctatissimus, is more muted and earthy in tone, overall less vibrant, with more of a spotted pattern.
Habitat: Mesophilic to xerophilic; almost exclusively edificarian; sometimes on tree trunks, under fiber on palm trunks, under palm fronds and trash near ocean, in COCOS husks near mangrove border; on house walls and interiors; takes cover behind books, furniture, pictures; locally common under palm slats of native dwellings. Leaf litter and rock piles around houses and tropical hammocks. Sometimes attracted to insects at patio lights or windows. Hides in crevices or under cover by day. Often on walls of cisterns and outhouses
Range: Cuba; Isla de la Juventud; Jardines de la Reina; Archipielago de Sabana-Camaguey; Archipielago de los Canarreos; cays off north Villa Clara Province coast;
Diet: eats insects and other small terrestrial invertebrates.
Reproduction: Lays single eggs in August, often in communal nest
Status: This species is listed as Least Concern because of its large extent of occurrence, apparently stable trend, lack of major threats and tolerance of human activities.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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