What kind of creature is this? It is lizard-like, but swims in the water.?

Question

I have this pool in my backyard. It's been polluted with gulf water (from past hurricanes) and sand and dirt for well over a year now. Recently, we've noticed that there seems to be some kind of reptile floating in our water.

It looks almost exactly like a common, medium-sized, skinny, dark brown lizard. It floats on the surface of the water, motionless, almost as if it's dead. However, when you touch it, it swims back down to the depths of our pool (approx. 5ft-9ft deep). Can anyone help me identify what kind of creature it is?

Let me know if you need some additional info. Thanks!

Upon further observation, I noticed that the reptile does not have claws on it's forearms nor its hind legs. When I took it out of the water, it struggled to move. It couldn't balance itself on its legs or arms. It did swim very well in the water, though. I also noticed that it doesn't have scales like most lizards, but a sleek, smooth skin. I'm starting to think that it is some sort of salamander.

Upon further observation, I noticed that the reptile does not have claws on it's forearms nor its hind legs. When I took it out of the water, it struggled to move. It couldn't balance itself on its legs or arms. It did swim very well in the water, though. I also noticed that it doesn't have scales like most lizards, but a sleek, smooth skin. I'm starting to think that it is some sort of salamander.

I live in west Florida. The pool that these creatures are inhabiting is probably more rain water than salt water.

Answer 1

It does indeed sound like a salamander of some kind. You haven't mentioned exactly where you live, so it's pretty hard to narrow down what exact kind of salamander it might be.

Answer 2

Could it be a baby alligator? A salamander has smooth skin without scales.

Answer 3

A newt or a salamander...

Answer 4

I don't know. It might be a salamander, but im not sure.

Answer 5

it's a komoto dragon