Brown Anole

## Description

The brown anole (Anolis sagrei ), also known commonly as the Cuban brown anole, or De la Sagra's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, via the importation and exportation of plants where the anole would lay eggs in the soil of the pots, and is now found in Florida and as far north in the United States as southern Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Hawaii, and Southern California. It has also been introduced to other Caribbean islands, Mexico, and Taiwan.

This species is highly invasive. In its introduced range, it reaches exceptionally high population densities, is capable of expanding its range very quickly, and both outcompetes and consumes many species of native lizards, like the green anole. The brown anole's introduction into the United States in the early 1970s has altered the behavior and negatively affected populations of the native Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis, also known as the green anole), which have since generally been relegated to the treetops.

## Appearance

The Brown anole is a small lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. This species is highly invasive. In its introduced range, it reaches exceptionally high population densities, is capable of expanding its range very quickly, and both outcompetes and consumes many species of native lizards. Brown anoles are normally a light brown color with darker brown to black markings on their back, and several tan to light color lines on their sides. Like other anoles, they can change color, in this case, a darker brown to black. Their dewlap ranges from yellow to orange-red. The tail has a ridge that travels all the way up to behind the head. Female Brown anoles can be distinguished from males by a light brown stripe that runs over their back.

## Distribution

Brown anoles are native to Cuba and the Bahamas. Today, their range has extended as far as Georgia and parts of Mexico. These lizards typically avoid trees and prefer smaller plants and shrubs and are found in both urban and suburban areas.

## Behavior

Brown anoles are active during the day and are often seen basking on tree branches or rocks. When the weather is cold they hide under tree barks and inside rotten logs. They are social creatures. Female and male territories are separate but there are usually two or more female territories within one male territory. Males are very territorial and often fight with each other protecting their home range. Anoles use visual cues as their primary signaling mode. Males like to have high vantage points so they can overlook their territory in search of females to mate with or to spot other rival males that have encroached on their territory. They'll often bob their head up and down quickly before displaying their dewlap and will do sets of push-ups. When pursued or captured, Brown anoles can detach most of their tail. The piece that breaks off will continue to move, possibly distracting the predator and allowing the anole to escape. The lost tail will partially regrow. If provoked, Brown anoles will bite, urinate, and defecate. Also, some Brown anoles may do a short hiss if caught, injured, or fighting.

## Diet

Brown anoles are carnivores (insectivores) and feed on small arthropods such as crickets, moths, ants, grasshoppers, cockroaches, mealworms, spiders, and waxworms. They may also eat other lizards, such as skinks and Carolina anole, lizard eggs, and their own molted skin and detached tails. If near water, they eat aquatic arthropods or small fish - nearly anything that will fit in their mouths.

## Reproduction

Brown anoles are polygynous meaning that one male mates with more than one female. They breed between late spring and early summer. Females lay 1 to 2 eggs every one or two weeks throughout the breeding season. For successful development of eggs females search for moist habitat. After laying eggs the female covers them and leaves. Incubation takes around 6-8 weeks. The young are fully developed and independent at birth. They become reproductively mature at 1 year of age.

## Population

### Population threats

There are no major threats to Brown anoles at present.

### Population number

According to IUCN Red List, the Brown anole is locally widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today remain stable.