American Anole

## Description

Anolis carolinensis (US: /əˈnoʊ.li/ (listen)) or green anole (among other names below) is a tree-dwelling species of anole lizard native to the southeastern United States and introduced to islands in the Pacific and Caribbean. A small to medium-sized lizard, the green anole is a trunk-crown ecomorph and can change its color to several shades from brown to green.

Other common names include the **Carolina anole**, **Carolina green anole**, **American anole**, **American green anole**, **North American green anole** and **red-throated anole**. It is sometimes referred to as the **American chameleon** (typically in the pet trade) due to its color-changing ability, however it is not a true chameleon.

## Appearance

The American anole is an arboreal anole lizard native to the southeastern United States and introduced elsewhere. It is also sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its ability to change color from several brown hues to bright green, and its somewhat similar appearance and diet preferences. However, it is not a true chameleon and the nickname is misleading although it can camouflage. The typical coloration for American anole ranges from the richest and brightest of greens to the darkest of browns, with little variation in between. 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. Females have a prominent white stripe running along their spine, a feature most males lack. The toes of these lizards have adhesive pads to facilitate climbing.

## Distribution

American anoles are native to North America, where they are found mainly in the subtropical southeastern parts of the continent. Anoles are most abundant on the Atlantic Coastal Plains in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and on the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, where they extend inland as far as the Texas Hill Country. In the Carolina, they are found in the coastal plains and southern piedmont of North Carolina, but throughout South Carolina, while in Georgia they are widespread except in the Blue Ridge region. American anoles live in a wide variety of habitats but the preferred habitat is moist forests and brushy clearings. They are also common on roadsides, the edges of forests where there are shrubs and vines, swamps, steps, wooded parks, cleared fields, and building sites having abundant foliage and sunlight.

## Behavior

American anoles are arboreal in nature but may be seen on the ground. They are solitary animals since birth. Males are strongly territorial creatures. 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 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. American anoles are diurnal and active throughout the year, peaking in spring and fall. Winter activity is dependent on the sun and temperature.

## Diet

American anoles are carnivorous (insectivorous) animals. Their diet consists primarily of small insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, flies and other arthropods, including spiders. Many people who keep these lizards as pets feed them mealworms, grubs, maggots, and small crickets.

## Reproduction

American anoles have a polygynous mating system; this means that one male mates with more than one female during the breeding season. The typical breeding season for these anoles starts as early as April and ends in late September. During this time, the males patrol their territory and perform most brilliant displays. Males defend their territory and females from rivals while courting the females with elaborate displays of extending their brightly colored dewlaps while bobbing up and down, almost doing a dance. About 2 to 4 weeks following mating, the female lays her first clutch of eggs, usually 1 or 2 in the first clutch. She can produce an egg every two weeks during the breeding season until about 10 eggs have been produced. She then buries the soft-shelled eggs in a shallow depression in soft soil, leaf litter, compost, rotting wood, or even a hole in a nearby tree. The eggs are left to incubate by the heat of the sun, and if successful, will hatch in about 5 to 7 weeks (30-45 days) from late May to early October. On hatching, the hatchlings are 52-67 mm (2.0-2.6 in) in length. The hatchlings must fend for themselves, as they are not cared for by either parent. The young must be wary of other adult anoles in the area, as well as larger reptiles and mammals, which could eat them. They mature in about 8 months of age.

## Population

### Population threats

Currently, American anoles are abundant in their area of distribution and are able to thrive in disturbed areas, so these lizards are not considered threatened. However, they do suffer from the competition with introduced Brown anoles, predation by other non-native anoles, and habitat degradation.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the American anole is locally common and 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 are stable.