The Green Anole

                                                    Anolis carolinensis

On a recent Herpetology Class field trip to Francis Marion State Park, I discovered a cute little anole.  It was most likely a female (less profound dewlap) and I would guess that it is approximately six inches,(the normal range is 5-8 inches). This anole, of the species Anolis carolinensis was an adult crawling on the ground under a large log. It is rare for an Anole to be seen walking on the ground as they are usually climbing. The habitat consisted mostly of tall trees and darker colored foliage with dead leaves, branches and tree trunks scattered along the ground in your typical forest environment. It was a dark greenish/brown color that I have rarely seen on Anoles in South Carolina and had a slight yet distinct pattern on its back in a darker brown or black color. All the other Anoles I have seen have been bright green and without a pattern on their back. However, most of the Anoles I have seen have been in a city setting and not in a forest environment. It therefore stands to reason that it would serve populations that live in a forest to evolve in a darker color to blend in with the foliage as opposed to the populations who live in the city, which would evolve to exhibit brighter colors found on bushes and vines. Anolis carolinensis is the only species of Anole found in South Carolina. It is commonly referred to as the Green Anole and the coloration can range from bright green to dark brown. These Anoles have a pink throat fan called a dewlap that is used for signaling.  The dewlap is much larger and much more easily distinguished in males. The color of the dewlap, often a deep pink is best seen as the fan expands and the scales along the dewlap expand to reveal the bright color. They also have small toe pads that assist them in climbing, everything from fences to vines to bushes to tall trees. They feed on small insects that they often swallow whole.

 Anoles are of the family Polychridae and only the species Anolis Carolinensis is native to the United States. There are currently six other species in the United States, now found in Florida, that are originally West Indian species. This is a small percentage of the number of species found in the genus Anolis,  as there are currently documented over 250 species worldwide. Most species are found in the tropics and further south towards Bolivia and Paraguay, according to our guidebook, Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America.

I personally loved finding this Anole as they are one of my favorite herps! In fact, the Green Anole was even my nomination for class mascot! I loved finding an Anole that was such a brown color and so different from any I have seen in Charleston, or at home in Columbia. Overall, this field trip was one of my favorites and the Green Anole was my favorite find of the semester!