Oriental garden lizard
Background
The oriental garden lizard originates from Asia but has invasive populations in many other countries. It is now one of the most widespread lizards, across the world, causing declines and extinctions of native species in the countries it has invaded.
There are no populations of the oriental garden lizard in Australia, but they are known to stowaway in luggage and in commercial transportation of goods.
Occasionally oriental garden lizards are spotted and reported in South Australia. These sightings and reports are vital to ensure they don’t establish in South Australia.
It is illegal to keep, transport, sell or release the oriental garden lizard in South Australia under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019.
Impacts
Oriental garden lizards are a serious pest that:
- compete with native species
- predate on native species
- spread disease to native species.
Identification
The oriental garden lizard grows up to 37 cm in length, with long legs and toes. The tail is slender and more than twice as long as the body.
The lizard’s skin is rough and spiny. Adults have a crest that rises up from behind the eyes and extends to the back. Small spines can be seen just above the external ear.
It is highly variable in colour, ranging from yellow-tan to olive, brown or grey, sometimes with dark markings along the back. The underbelly is white and dark lines radiate out from the eyes.
In breeding season males, can show deep red or rust coloration on the front of the body, and a black blotch on their throat. Females may become yellow.
A young native bearded dragon can sometimes be mistaken for the oriental garden lizard.
Report oriental garden lizards
The oriental garden lizard has not yet become established in South Australia. To make sure this doesn’t happen report all suspected sightings.
