Aquatic Anole, A. vermiculatusLet’s take a look at the anoles in general.
The Anoles are a huge grouping of small (Carolina Anole, Anolis carolinensis, 5 to 8 inches overall) to relatively large (Knight Anole sp., Anolis equestris 14-19 inches overall) sized New World lizards. Number-wise there are more than 275 (probably closer to 400) species.
Males are larger than females; males have dewlaps (throat fans), and both sexes have expanded toe pads. Most species are primarily arboreal, some dwell in canopy locations, others on lower twigs, many are at home on tree trunks, while a few are at least partially aquatic (A. aquaticus & A. vermiculatus are examples of this latter).
Most are insectivorous, some add fruit to the daily diet. Cannibalism by large taxa on smaller is well documented. Color-changing ability of some have led to the vernacular of “American Chameleon.” In some cases the color changes from green to brown or yellowish, gray, or brown may be accomplished in only seconds. Many other taxa can only alter the intensity of their normal coloration, let’s say from light brown or tan to deep chocolate brown being the norm.
Of the huge species number (most reside in the West Indies, Central and South America) we have in the USA only one taxon, the green or Carolina Anole, that qualifies as a confirmed native. Some folks consider a second, a subspecies of the Bark Anole, A. distichus floridanus, as a second native form, but this remains questionable.
But given suitably warm temperatures, such as those normal in central and southern Florida, several exotic species (I list these below) have been introduced and become established. To date, the most successful of these exotics has been the Brown (often called the Cuban or Cuban Brown) Anole,
Anolis sagrei. This species is now seen, at least sparingly, from the Carolinas to Texas. Established in southern Florida:
Anolis allisoni, Cuban Blue-fronted Anole,
Anolis.callainus, Dominican Green Anole (hold on – there are two more species with this common name)
Anolis cristatellus,. Puerto Rican Crested Anole
Anolis coelestinus, commonly known as the Hispaniolan Green Anole
Anolis cybotes, Large-headed Anole (Hispaniola)
Anolis distichus, Bark Anoles (originally 3 subspecies)
Anolis equestris, Cuban Giant or Knight Anole
Anolis garmani Jamaican Giant Anole (FL population now greatly reduced in numbers by unusual dips in winter temperatures.
Anolis peynadoi, Dominican Green Anole (1 of 3 species also known as as “Hispaniolan Green Anole)
Anolis porcatus, Cuban Green Anole
Anolis sagrei, Cuban Brown Anole
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