Assessment of three removal methods for an invasive lizard, Peters’ rock agama (Agama picticauda)

Abstract

Peters’ rock agamas ( Agama picticauda ) are petrophilic lizards native to Western sub-Saharan Africa and are established in multiple areas in Florida. Where established, this species is conspicuous and numerous and has been the top reported non-native reptile to Florida’s state wildlife agency, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, since 2021. There is a need to identify effective removal methods that can be applied in different habitats and by homeowners and professionals in both public and private lands. We evaluated three removal methods for A. picticauda in Martin County, Florida, USA. Using a before-after-control-impact design, we evaluated targeted removals by lizard-fishing (baited line on the end of an extendable pole), air rifle, and fabric minnow traps baited with crickets at three sites per treatment across two seasons (fall 2024 and spring 2025) compared to control sites with no removal treatment applied. Each method was applied to each site for two 1-h treatments per season. We observed population reductions at all sites after removal treatments during the warm season. Air rifle was the most effective method in terms of the number of lizards removed, effort, and cost efficiency, but the limited temporal application of 2-h removal effort per site per season was not enough to distinguish population reduction potential among methods. Our calculated prescribed take levels of approximately 30% of the average population estimates are reasonable to achieve based on current routine removal efforts. This information may be applicable to other management efforts on small invasive lizards and may be informative for non-lethal capture efforts of similar lizard species.