brown anole

Brown anole at Ding Darling 

Brown anole Anolis sagrei


The brown anole belongs to the Polychrotidae family

Brown anoles are an invasive species to Florida from Caribbean. They are small lizard, 21cm in length, they are brown with white strips along the back.  The males have fan (dewlaps) from the throat which is usually either red and or orange which is in courtship displays and the fight for territory with other males. They are able to jump and run easily due to their long toes. 

They are found on the ground in wooded and urban areas. They are diurnal and bask in the sunshine. When the weather is on the cooler side, the anoles hide under the trees to try and keep warm. They eat a wide range of insects and invertebrates. 

Reproduction happens two years after birth. Mating happens during the Spring and Summer. The females lay the eggs in damp soil and decomposing plant matter about every two weeks during the breeding season. The eggs are in the soil for ninety days. The eggs hatch in June. The breeding males fight for the right to breed and for territory, this can be very viscous by locking jaws and trying to push each other of their spot. 

Srelherp.uga.edu, (2015). Species Profile: Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) | SREL Herpetology. [online] Available at: http://srelherp.uga.edu/lizards/anosag.htm [Accessed 8 Apr. 2015].

Sms.si.edu, (2015). Anolis sagrei. [online] Available at: http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Anolis_sagrei.htm [Accessed 8 Apr. 2015].