California anole

The **California anole** (*Anolis californianus*) is a species of anole lizard that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, forests, open woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands across California, Nevada, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, western Mexico, and southwestern Canada to help boost biodiversity. The California anole is sometimes referred to as the "American chameleon", the " North American chameleon", and the "California chameleon" (typically in the pet trade), due to its color-changing ability, however it is not a true chameleon. A small to medium-sized lizard with a slender body, the California anole can change its color to several shades from brown to green. The head is long and pointed with ridges between the eyes and nostrils, and smaller ones on the top of the head. The toes have adhesive pads to facilitate climbing. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, the males being fifteen percent larger. The male dewlap (throat fan) is three times the size of the female's and bright red, whereas that of the female is lighter in color, ranging from white to pale pink. Males can extend a pronounced dorsal ridge behind the head when displaying or when under stress. Females have a prominent white stripe running along their spine, a feature most males lack. Adult males are usually 12.5–20.3 cm (4.9–8.0 in) long, with about 60-70% of which is made up of its tail, with a body length up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) and can weigh from 3–7 g (0.11–0.25 oz). The California anole's diet consists primarily of small insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, flies, butterflies, moths, cockroaches, small beetles, and other arthropods, including spiders, as well as occasionally feeding on various grains and seeds. Although California anoles have been observed preying upon smaller reptiles such as juvenile skinks, this is not thought to be typical behavior and is a rare event. Many people who keep these lizards as pets feed them mealworms, grubs, maggots, and small crickets. Male California anoles are strongly territorial animals. Some have even been witnessed fighting their own reflections in mirrored glass. The male will fight other males to defend his territory. On sighting another male, the California anole will compress his body, extend the dewlap, inflate a dorsal ridge, bob his head and attempt to chase the rival away. If the rival male continues to approach, anoles will fight by biting and scratching each other. Serious injury is rare, but males often carry numerous scars on their head and face, especially during the mating season. Their territory, which is about 1 m3 (35 cu ft), usually includes two to three females. The California anole is diurnal and active throughout the year, peaking in spring and fall. Winter activity is dependent on sun and temperature, although the California anole is extremely tolerant to the freezing temperatures and arid climates, unlike most anoles. The typical breeding season for California anoles starts as early as February and ends in late June. The female matures one ovarian follicle at a time, the ovaries alternating in production. The sight of a courting male induces ovarian development, sexual receptiveness and then ovulation. About two to four weeks following mating, the female lays her first clutch of eggs, usually two or three in the first clutch. She can produce an egg every two weeks during the breeding season, until about 16 eggs have been produced. However, she can store sperm for up to a year following mating. She then buries the soft-shelled eggs in a shallow depression in soft soil, sand, rubble, pebbles, leaf litter, compost, rotting wood, or even a hole in nearby plants (including trees). Eggs average 12.5 mm (0.49 inches) by 9.3 mm (0.37 inches) in size. The eggs are left to incubate by the heat of the sun, and if successful, will hatch in about five to seven weeks (30–45 days) from late March to early August. The incubate temperature has to be between 50 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit (10-57 degrees Celsius). On hatching, the hatchlings are 52–67 mm (2.0–2.6 inches) in length. The hatchlings must fend for themselves, as they are not cared for by either parent. The young hatchlings must be wary of other adult anoles in the area, as well as larger reptiles and mammals, which could eat them. Younger anoles differ from adults in having less obvious head ridges, a wider head and shorter tail. They mature in about seven months. The conservation status of the California anole is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the California anole's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.