This species is known to eat insects and other lizards smaller than itself. They may also eat bird eggs. Male Oriental Garden Lizards get a bright red throat during mating season, which have lead some to call this lizard the “Bloodsucker.” Oriental Garden Lizards are native to Asia and have not been recorded from the CNMI previously. This species has invaded other islands and areas including Diego Garcia and Florida.
The Department of Lands & Natural Resources’ Division of Fish and Wildlife, Brown Tree Snake program is conducting surveys in the capture area to determine if there are more of these lizards on island. Survey work is being supported by members of the Sablan family and by the U.S. Department of the Interior through biologist James Stanford from the Brown Treesnake response coordination office on Guam.
The Oriental Garden Lizard is not poisonous and they do not pose a threat to human life; however, because they are not native to the CNMI, they pose a threat to the native skinks and other lizards in the commonwealth, as well as the native forest birds.
“We do not want the Oriental Garden Lizard to become established on Saipan, because of the potential environmental threat it would pose for our native birds and animals,” DLNR stated.
If you see an Oriental Garden Lizard call 28-SNAKE or 671-777-HISS!
