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Anolis carolinensis

(Carolina Anole)

Overview

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Interesting Facts

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Common Names

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Click on the language to view common names.

Common Names in English:

Carolina Anole, Green Anole

Common Names in French:

Anole Vert

Common Names in German:

Rotkehlanolis

Common Names in Japanese:

グリーンアノール

Description

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Physical Description

Species Anolis carolinensis

A green or brown lizard covered in small granular scales . Adults average from 125 - 203 mm (5 - 8 in) in total length. Males have a pink colored throat fan (called a dewlap), which is used in both territorial and courtship displays. Green Anoles are also known as "chameleons" based on their ability to change color. The color varies from brown to mottled green and brown to pure green, depending on the anole's body temperature , activity or behavior.

Habitat

Green Anoles are one of the most arboreal lizards in the United States. Preferred natural habitats are mesic (moist or wet) forests with brushy clearings and forest edges that have an established shrub layer or vine tangles. They are commonly seen on or around homes and other buildings or structures, taking advantage of exposed elevated surfaces on which to bask and forage for food.

Green anoles are diurnal . They are commonly seen on fences, around old buildings, on shrubs and vines, on the ground , or in trees due to their adhesive toe pads .

Ecology: This mostly arboreal lizard occupies a wide variety of habitats , including upland forests , pine-palmetto scrublands, rocky escarpments , swamps , wooded parks, cleared fields , maritime scrub , and residential lots of coastal towns (Palmer and Braswell 1995, Bartlett and Bartlett 1999, Trauth et al. 2004); commonly it is in edge situations. It climbs on tree trunks , shrubs , vines , and various other plants , and also on fence posts and walls of buildings. It sleeps in vegetation at night. In cold weather, green anoles seek cover but do not go deep underground (Mount 1975). Eggs are buried in moist soil, sphagnum, leaf litter , rotting wood , or under rocks and debris .[1].

List of Habitats:

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Biology

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Diet

Diet includes a variety of insects; moths, crickets, beetles, flies, grasshoppers, and butterflies are eaten.

Reproduction

Green Anoles lay their eggs throughout the spring and summer months. Eggs are laid one at a time and buried in moist soil, rotten stumps or logs , or forest floor litter . After an incubation period of about six weeks the eggs hatching can occur from late May through early October. Hatchlings average about 67 mm (2.6 in) in total length.

Behavior

The anole is sometimes called a "chameleon" by many people because of its ability to change colors, but the color change is associated with temperature , stress, and various other environmental and behavioral factors . Adult males are very defensive of their territory against intruding males. Head bobbing is used by the males both in defending their territory and courting females.

Predators include Broadhead Skinks Eumeces laticeps, snakes and predatory birds. Active Green Anoles have been recorded from every month of the year, with peaks in spring and fall . In the winter months they become active during periods of sunny, warm weather.

Taxonomy

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Last Revised: 5/16/2012