Last weekend, while visiting Caw Caw County Park, I caught a Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis). I found her on a tree near the water and, originally she was brown in coloration like the bark of the tree. However, once caught she quickly began to turn a yellow-green color, and eventually became bright green as viewed in photo. She jumped out of my hand before I took the photo, and is pictured among the rushes and grasses along the swamp. I believe she was a female because she did not have a pronounced, reddish flap on her chin. Anoles are members of the Family Polychridae, and Green Anoles are the only species found in our area. Members of the Family Polycridae can be identified by granular scales, ability to rapidly change color, and toe pads for climbing. They are a climbing, somewhat arboreal family, although they can also be found foraging terrestrially. Identifying her as a Green Anole was possible due to the fact that they are our only local species, green to brown coloration, somewhat spotted appearance, and small size. These lizards are locally abundant and can be found anywhere from forests, parks, to downtown around houses and buildings. Although common, catching an Anole is still exciting, as they are normally extremely fast and difficult to capture.
(Maggie Veith,SC)
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