U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lists Florida Keys Mole Skink as Endangered

Press Release

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Lists Florida Keys Mole Skink as Endangered

Decision based on best available science provides protections for one of the Florida Keys' rarest reptiles

Jul 20, 2026

Media Contacts

ATLANTA – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is listing the Florida Keys mole skink as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

The Florida Keys mole skink is one of Florida's rarest reptiles. This small, secretive lizard is found only in Monroe County, Florida.

“Florida’s natural heritage and its vibrant economy are deeply connected,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Regional Director Mike Oetker. “By using the best available science and working hand‑in‑hand with our local partners, we can protect imperiled wildlife while still encouraging responsible development and industry. We are committed to ensuring that Florida’s unique wildlife and its growing communities thrive together for generations to come.”

The Florida Keys mole skink, one of five types of mole skinks found in Florida, is a slender, tan lizard with a brightly tinted pinkish-red tail that grows up to five inches long. These elusive lizards spend much of their lives underground and, since 2000, have only been documented on 15 islands in Monroe County, Florida. Their extremely limited distribution makes the subspecies particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

The Service originally proposed listing the Florida Keys mole skink as threatened. Following review of additional information received during the public comment process and further analysis of the subspecies' status and threats, the Service concluded that the risk of extinction is greater than previously understood and that the Florida Keys mole skink meets the Endangered Species Act's definition of an endangered species.

Listing the Florida Keys mole skink as endangered provides protections under the Endangered Species Act and supports recovery and conservation efforts for the subspecies. Federal agencies must ensure actions they authorize, fund or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Florida Keys mole skink.

This final listing rule does not designate critical habitat. A species receives the protections associated with listing regardless of whether critical habitat is designated.

The Service will continue working with federal, state, tribal, local and private partners to conserve the Florida Keys mole skink and the habitats that support its long-term recovery.

More information about the Florida Keys mole skink and the final listing determination is available in the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/program/southeast-region. Connect with us on social media: Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), Flickr, and YouTube. 