Tiny Florida Keys Lizard Officially Joins Endangered List
Published Date: 7/21/2026
Rule
Summary
The Florida Keys mole skink, a tiny lizard found only in the Florida Keys, is now officially listed as endangered starting August 20, 2026. This means it gets special protections to help it survive and recover. People and groups working in the Florida Keys should be ready for new rules that protect this little critter, but no big costs are expected right away.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Florida Keys mole skink listed
The Florida Keys mole skink is officially listed as an endangered species and the Endangered Species Act protections apply to it starting August 20, 2026. If you live, work, or run a business in the Florida Keys (Florida), be prepared for new rules to protect this lizard, though the rule states no big costs are expected right away.
4(d) provisions removed
Because the species is listed as endangered, the rule says a 4(d) rule (special regulatory provisions for a threatened listing) is inapplicable and those 4(d) regulatory provisions were removed in this final rule effective August 20, 2026. That means the tailored 4(d) provisions proposed for a threatened listing will not apply now that the skink is listed as endangered.
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Key Dates
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