The general distribution of the Florida Scrub Lizard is restricted to Florida, specifically in Peninsular Florida. It is distributed in scattered sand pine and rosemary srcub areas from Marion and Putnam counties southward to Dade county (Carr 1959). The distribution of the Scrub Lizard is highly disjunct, probably due to the patchy distribution of suitable habitat. Most can be found in the extensive Sand Pine scrubs in the Ocala National Forest in north-central Florida. Atlantic coast populations can still be found in Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, and Broward Counties. Populations of Scrub Lizards along the southwestern Gulf Coast of Florida in Lee and Collier counties may still exist (Moler 1992).

Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )

endemic to a single state or province

United States

Origin: Native

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Present

Confidence: Confident

Type of Residency: Year-round

Global Range: (5000-200,000 square km (about 2000-80,000 square miles)) This species occurs in four disjunct areas in central and southern Florida: vicinity of Ocala National Forest in northern peninsular Florida, numerous inland sites in Polk and Highlands counties, Atlantic coast scrubs in central and southern Florida (Brevard County to Broward County), and Gulf Coast scrubs in Lee and Collier counties (DeMarco 1992). It now occurs sparingly in Collier County on the southwest coast and in the scrub along the sandy southeastern coastline; it is more numerous in suitable habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge and in the scrublands of Lake and Marion counties (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).

Sceloporous woodi is known by its rough, overlapping scales, which usually number 40 or more from the occiput to the base of the tail, and by its clear-cut dark lateral stripe. It also has fermoral pores which number from 14-20, and a brownish color, with a conspicuous dark band on the side from the neck to the base of the tail. On the back of the lizard is a series of 8-10 more or less distinct wavy bars. There is an unmarked mid-dorsal area. These vertical markings are stronger in females than in males. Males have a conspicuous blue patch bordered with black on each side of the throat, and a similar blue area with a less heavy black border on each side of the belly. Females are generally white on the ventral area except for weaker blue patches like those of males. Average Snout-Vent Length is about 1.75 inches (Carr 1959).

Length: 14 cm

Differs from the fence lizard S. UNDULATUS in having a distinct brown lateral stripe (bordered below by white) rather than a less clear-cut black lateral stripe (or no lateral stripe); also, dorsal scale count (from back of head to base of tail) averages more than 40 rather than 34 (Conant and Collins 1991).

• Terrestrial

This "heliothermic" lizard prefers open sandy areas bordering Sand Pine scrub and sandhill associations. Sceloporus woodi could be described as a forest-edge species. A dense crown of Sand Pine comprises the 'overstory' of the scrub habitat. The 'understory' is composed primarily of scrub oaks (Quercus chapmanii , Q. myrtifolia , and Q. virginiana) , while much of the ground is covered with lichen and leaf litter. Sandhill habitats are dominated by Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) and Turkey Oak (Q. laevis) . Wiregrasses are characteristic of this plant association. Rosemary occurs in both types of habitats, especially where fire is uncommon. Both plant associations occur on well drained, deep sand soil (Moler 1992).

Terrestrial Biomes: chaparral ; scrub forest

Comments: This lizard is largely restricted to evergreen oak scrub and young sand pine scrub with ample open space; it is less common in the ecotone between scrub and sandhills, sandhills surrounded by scrub, scrubby flatwoods, and citrus groves. It prefers sites with open sandy areas (for nesting, basking, and foraging) in close proximity to mature trees (Pinus or Quercus) that can provide shade and perch sites. Development of a closed canopy (e.g., in the absence of fire) results in increasingly unsuitable habitat. It never occurs in nonxeric sites. The species is mostly terrestrial but commonly perches low on tree trunks. See DeMarco (1992) for further information.

Eggs are laid in soil (e.g., Geomys and tortoise mounds) (Ashton and Ashton 1985).

See Tiebout and Anderson (2001) for information on habitat selection by captive lizards.

Non-Migrant: Yes. At least some populations of this species do not make significant seasonal migrations. Juvenile dispersal is not considered a migration.

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make local extended movements (generally less than 200 km) at particular times of the year (e.g., to breeding or wintering grounds, to hibernation sites).

Locally Migrant: No. No populations of this species make annual migrations of over 200 km.

The Florida Scrub Lizard is a "sit and wait" predator that eats ants, beetles, spiders, and other small arthropods.

Comments: Forages principally on the ground and occasionally on the lower trunks of trees for arthropods; a sit-and-wait forager that sometimes uses tree trunks to gain vantage points for observing terrestrial prey, which includes beetles, spiders, caterpillars, and grasshoppers (Lee et al. 1974). Juveniles include ants as a large part of their diet (Hartmann, unpubl.). Predation on hatchling Scincella as well as cannibalism also have been reported (Bowie 1973).

Note: For many non-migratory species, occurrences are roughly equivalent to populations.

Estimated Number of Occurrences: 21 - 300

Comments: This species occurs in numerous scrubs throughout the range (> 200 localities), although number of occupied sites has declined in recent decades, especially on both coastal ridges. The precise number of distinct, extant occurrences is not known. On a small-scale map, Lee and Funderberg (1977) indicated several dozen collection sites.

2500 - 100,000 individuals

Comments: Total adult population size is unknown but likely exceeds several thousand. Population densities vary from 10 to 120 per hectare. The species is still common on the Lake Wales Ridge in the Ocala National Forest.

Densities vary from about 10 to 124 lizards per ha (Hartmann 1995, Jackson and Telford 1974). In a three-year study, population size on a 0.75-ha study site peaked at 93 individuals (124 individuals/ha) in July 1990 and reached its lowest level at 19 individuals (25 individuals/ha) in April 1992 (McCoy et al. 2004). At peak (July) density in central Florida, young of the year comprised 81% of the population (Hartmann 1995).

Most individuals stay in a home range of roughly 400 sq m which is usually, but not always, located within 20 m of their hatching sites. A small number of individuals disperse up to 120 m from their hatching sites during their first month of life. This lizard has poor dispersal capability and does not readily colonize or disperse from isolated patches of habitat (Hokit et al. (1999).

Adults and possibly juveniles are territorial; in the spring and summer, males can be seen actively defending a territory which contains the home range of at least one adult female; they are presumably defending mating rights rather than a foraging territory. Defensive and aggressive activities include displaying blue coloration (via push-ups and arching), chasing, and occasionally biting. Adults ignore the presence of hatchlings in their territories (Hartmann, unpubl.).

In central Florida, annual adult survivorship from June to June was 19%; annual juvenile survivorship from hatching to 12 months of age varied among monthly cohorts from 2.5% to 17.9%; mean juvenile survivorship to sexual maturity was 22% (Hartmann 1995).

Comments: Active throughout the year on sunny or warm cloudy days. Adults are most active and visible at the onset of the breeding season, which begins in February in central and southern Florida, and March in northern Florida (Hartmann, unpubl., Jackson and Telford 1974).

Average lifespan

Sex: male

Status: captivity: 1.7 years.

Females reach sexual maturity around 47mm SVL(snout-vent length). Male SVL is probably slightly smaller at maturity. Courtship and mating occur from late March through June. For females in their second reproductive season, vitellogenesis begins in March, and oviposition of the first clutch occurs around mid-April. Smaller females that are in their first reproductive season may begin to develop follicles somewhat later, in April or May. Females that have not reached maturity by March may mature and yolk a clutch in mid- to late summer. It has been estimated that the largest females could lay up to five clutches in a single reproductive season under optimal conditions; however three clutches in a season is more likely. No females are gravid after August. Average clutch size is four, and clutches range from 2-8 eggs. Hatching occurs from late June until early November. Hatchlings reach sexual maturity in 10-11 months (Moler 1992).

Mating occurs from late March through June. Lays multiple clutches of 2-8 eggs, April-November. Hatching begins in late May in central Florida and in late June in northern Florida and extends through November (and sometimes through early winter in central Florida). Sexually mature within 10-11 months, in 7-8 months in some areas. This is a fast-growing, early maturing, short-lived species. See DeMarco (1992), Jackson and Telford (1974), Ashton and Ashton (1985), and Hartmann (1995).

An increase in urbanization and conservation of scrub patches to citrus groves has resulted in a loss of habitat for species which must make their homes in scrub areas to survive (Mosesso, 1996).

US Federal List: threatened

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: N3 - Vulnerable

Rounded Global Status Rank: G3 - Vulnerable

Reasons: Occurs only in Florida in a very limited and endangered habitat, on which it depends; scrub habitat is being lost to agriculture, urbanization, silviculture, and mining.

Intrinsic Vulnerability: Moderately vulnerable

Other Considerations: Formerly listed as Category 2 candidate by USFWS.

Global Short Term Trend: Decline of 10-30%

Comments: Area of occupancy, number of subpopulations, and population size are undoubtedly declining as scrub habitat is converted for agriculture and commercial/residential/golf course development. The rate of decline is uncertain but probably does not exceed 30% over the past 10 years or three generations.

Global Long Term Trend: Decline of 30-50%

Comments: This species was historically far more widespread and numerous on Florida's now largely developed sandy ridges (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).

Degree of Threat: B : Moderately threatened throughout its range, communities provide natural resources that when exploited alter the composition and structure of the community over the long-term, but are apparently recoverable

Comments: Habitat is subject to destruction by agriculture (especially citrus), urbanization, forestry, and mining.

Habitat is naturally fragmented, and scrub lizards appear to have limited dispersal capabilities due to high habitat specificity and low mobility, but genetic data indicate that some populations have existed in isolation for more than 1 million years (Clark et al. 1999).

McCoy et al. (2004) documented a population decline over three years in a small habitat fragment. The decline was associated with a decline in the survivorship of reproductive females, possibly due to increased risk of predation.

Restoration Potential: With appropriate habitat management aimed at opening up the canopy in overgrown scrub or sand pine forest, scrub lizards from adjoining areas would be able to disperse into the newly opened site and colonize. The effectiveness of reintroduction is unknown.

Preserve Selection and Design Considerations: Although the minimum habitat size for this species has not yet been determined, scrub lizards have been observed on small isolated scrubs of about 3 ha (Hartmann, unpubl.). However, it is not certain whether these small scrubs would maintain the species over the long term. They may represent recently isolated scrubs that are oversaturated, both in numbers of individuals and in numbers of species, some of which will be lost as the community moves toward equilibrium. Hokit and Branch (2003) found that production of hatchlings, recruitment, survivorship, and lizard abundance were positively associated with habitat patch size (at patch sizes between 2 and 6 ha)(underlying mechanisms are poorly understood). Thus, habitat patches to be protected for this species ideally should be at least several hectares in size.

A suitable habitat would contain a combination of large trees and open sandy areas with small shrubs. Sand roads through sand pine forest often contain healthy populations if an intermittently cleared area is also available at the roadside.

Management Requirements: Proper management of preserves for this species would include methods such as burning or mechanical cutting to preserve open scrub areas in close proximity to stands of mature trees. The overall goal should be to maintain a structurally heterogeneous scrub habitat. Sand roads that are not heavily travelled are an asset to this species. Management practices that result in extensive areas with dense accumulations of coarse woody debris should be avoided (Tiebout and Anderson 2001).

Monitoring Programs: There is currently only one project monitoring Sceloporus woodi; it is being carried out at Saddle Blanket Lakes Preserve (TNC) in southern Polk County. This is a mark-recapture study that has been underway since June 1990. Contact: Trish Hartmann, University of South Florida. (813) 324-5634.

Management Research Needs: Exact habitat requirements and population densities need study. Minimum habitat size has not been determined. Studies are needed to analyze differences in all facets of life history among populations in different habitats, as well as population responses to fire at different times of year.

Global Protection: Many to very many (13 to >40) occurrences appropriately protected and managed

Comments: Populations occur in several sites on the Avon Park Bombing Range and at least one population occurs on each of the following areas: Archbold Biological Station, Highlands Hammock State Park, Johnathan Dickinson State Park, Saddle Blanket Lakes Preserve. There are multiple occupied sites on the Lake Arbuckle State Forest/State Park, Ocala National Forest, and Tiger Creek Preserve.

Needs: Complete protection measures, including appropriate buffers, are needed for occupied habitats. An immediate effort is needed to prevent the extinction of the Gulf Coast population (DeMarco 1992).

Because this species consumes insects, spiders, etc. on a daily basis, it effectively keeps the population of these small arthropods "in check."

Stewardship Overview: Threatened by habitat destruction and lack of intermediate disturbance by fire to its habitat. Geographic distribution in northern Florida, the Lake Wales Ridge, the east coast, and the southwest coast have all been drastically reduced.

This species is in need of appropriate protection of its habitats. One of the most critical populations is that on Marco Island in Lee County, because this represents the only population remaining in southwestern Florida.

Management of this species involves the maintenance of a structurally diverse scrub or sandhill habitat that includes open sandy areas as well as mature trees for shading and low shrubs for hiding from predators. Further research is needed to assess causes of mortality in the populations as well as to quantify more accurately the response of these lizards to prescribed burning and other habitat management practices.

Comments: In the past, some authors have questioned whether S. woodi is sufficiently differentiated from S. undulatus to be considered a distinct species. More recently, S. woodi has been rather consistently recognized as a distinct species.

See Sites et al. (1992) for a review of phylogenetic hypotheses for lizards of the genus Sceloporus.