Green anole : Anolis carolinensis


Kingdom : Animal
   Phylum : Chordata
          Class : Reptilia
               Order : Squamata
                    Family : Polychridae
                         Genus : Anolis
                              Species : carolinensis

Description:

A green or brown lizard covered in small granular scales. Adults average from 125 - 203 mm (5 - 8 in) in total length.
Green anole, Photo by David Byres The color varies from brown to mottled green and brown to pure green, depending on the anole's body temperature, activity or behavior.

Green Anoles are also known as "chameleons" based on their ability to change color.

Males have a pink colored throat fan (called a dewlap), which is used in both territorial and courtship displays.

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 hatch.

Reproduction can occur from late May through early October.

The Green Anole is the only anole native to the United States.


Distribution:

A lizard of the southeastern United States, it ranges from North Carolina and southern Florida west to southeastern Oklahoma then south to southern Texas.

Male with dewlap, Photo by David Byres


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