Q: When visiting relatives in Florida, we found several small lizards that live in their backyard. These lizards changed color to match the environment. I kept calling them chameleons because of this fact, but the relatives called them door lizards. What were they? -- George

A: Ah, the great lizard question. Well, George, I have never heard of door lizards, but the term may be a regionalized common name for one of the lizards found in Florida.

According to my field guides, there are several species that have the ability to change color to blend in with their surroundings, which some animals can do to make themselves less noticeable to predators. When it comes to lizards in Florida, it's mainly anoles and geckos -- which are mostly not native to Florida -- that have this ability.

True chameleons aren't found in Florida, according my field guides, unless they are escaped pets.

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