Wonders of Wildlife: Green Anole

Green Anole

Other Common Names: chameleon

Scientific Name: Anolis carolinensis

Found in Alabama: Mostly common statewide, relatively scarce in extreme northern portion

Diet: Carnivore (eats animals)

Green Anole in Habitat
Flickr – David Eickhoff

Learn More About...

Classification

IDENTIFICATION

Adaptations

Life Cycle

Habitat Needs

Ecological Role

CLASSIFICATION

Scientists use basic traits to
group animals into different taxonomic
classes.

For a taxonomic classification chart comparing key traits of common backyard wildlife,
CLICK HERE!

What type of animal am I?

I am a vertebrate (an animal with a spine or backbone).
I am cold-blooded, so I cannot control my body temperature.
I have scales on the outside of my body.
I breathe with lungs just like you.
I have 4 legs.

The Green Anole is a REPTILE!

IDENTIFICATION TIPS

Size:

Adults reach 5-8 inches in length.
Males are slightly larger than females.

Key Characteristics:

Color ranges from bright green to brown.
Have a long slender body
Pointed snout
Males have a bright pink dewlap (flap of skin) that hangs beneath the neck.

Juveniles (young):

Similar in appearance to adults but smaller in size.

Male Green Anole
Dreamstime

PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS

PHYSICAL ADAPTATIONS

Green Anoles can change colors:

The green anole is often called ‘chameleon’ because of their ability to change colors from bright green to brown.
They have specialized structures just below the skin which allow them to changed colors.
They change color based on internal and external factors like body temperature and excitement.
They have the ability to appear brown if they are cold or stressed.

Green Anoles avoid predators:

Green anoles have a variety of adaptations that help them avoid being eaten by predators (animals that eat them).
Their coloration provides camouflage,(the ability to blend in with their surroundings).
They also have sticky-like structures on their footpads which allow them to walk up and down along vertical surfaces.
They may also leap and glide down from higher points in trees, using a membrane of skin located near the front and hind legs.

Green Anole Changing Colors
Wikimedia – Huhnra

Green Anole
Monty Morris

BEHAVIORAL ADAPTATIONS

Green Anoles are diurnal:

They are active during the day (diurnal).

Green Anole males show dominance:

The green anole is a territorial species and only hunts within its own area.
Males show displays in order to protect their territories.
Generally, males that are larger in size will be more dominant and have larger territories.
If a male feels the need to show dominance to protect their territory, they will bob their heads up and down, do a push-up like movement, and flare their pink dewlap.
Females also chose a male based on the size of their territory and dominance.

Male Green Anole Showing Dominance
Gregory Glasscock

LIFE CYCLE

Nest:

Eggs are deposited in moist soil, moist leaf litter, or in hollow logs.

Eggs:

Females lay one single hard-shelled at a time every two weeks.
They can lay up to 10 eggs total for the breeding season.

Young:

The female does not stick around to care for the eggs.
Young are independent and can hunt for themselves when they hatch from the eggs.

Life Span:

Average of 5-5.5 years but can potentially live up to 8 years.

Baby Green Anole
Flickr – Patricia Pierce

HABITAT NEEDS

Natural Habitat Needs	Adults	Young
Food	Green anoles are carnivores (eat animals). Feed on insects, grubs, beetles, flies, crickets, moths, butterflies, and spiders. In rare circumstances, they will eat mollusks, grain, and seeds.
Water	Require a moist or humid environment. Commonly found in swamps and forests. Will drink from water collected from dew or after rain showers.
Shelter	Require green plants and are primarily arboreal (living in trees). Perch at different heights within the trees. Will take shelter among wildflowers, low bushes, and shrubs that provide cover.
Places to Raise Young	Females deposit their eggs in moist soil. Young are independent upon hatching.

If you want to offer resources in your backyard habitat for this species, consider the suggestions below.

Backyard Habitat Needs	Adults	Young
Food	Provide vegetation to support insect life such as un-mowed grasses, logs, trees, and bushes. Do not spray pesticides that might harm insect populations.
Water	Provide plenty of plants which can collect rainwater and dew.
Shelter	Plant flowers, tall grasses, and low bushes that provide plenty of cover. Plant trees that will provide a place for them to perch. They will also perch on manmade structures like walls, fences, and rooftops.
Places to Raise Young	Provide a space with moist soil in which the females can deposit their eggs. Young are independent upon hatching.

ECOLOGICAL ROLE

Animals play an important ecological role in the health of habitats and ecosystems.

Food Source:

Green anoles are eaten by snakes, kestrels, thrashers, and some larger reptiles.

Insect Population Control:

Green anoles eat a large amount of invertebrates (animals without a spine or backbone), keeping these populations under control.

INFORMATION SOURCES FOR THIS SPECIES

John B. Jensen. Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia.
University of Georgia Press, 2008.

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