Natural History of Green Anoles (originally published Sunday, March 10)

We all know them, we all love them-- the green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is an arboreal lizard that is native to the southeastern United States. They live in warm, humid climates and can be found in numerous habitats, such as forests, swamps, backyards, parks, etc. They are commonly found basking on shrubs, buildings, trees, fences and vines. I’ve seen them numerous times in downtown Charleston on my way to class spread out on trees and the side of buildings! Green anoles are characterized by their narrow head and pointed snout. They are usually bright green (though they can turn brown when stressed) with white bellies and white lips. Additionally, they have toe pads on their digits that allow them to climb and cling onto different surfaces (perfect for arboreality!). Male green anoles are easily characterized by their brightly colored pink/ red dewlap found on their throat. Males use their dewlap by flaring and stretching it to display its bright color, establishing dominance or used in courtship. They will also display it when they feel threatened. Other visual displays found in green anole include the “pushups,” or bobbing their heads to show dominance. Male green anoles are known to aggressively defend their territories! These animals really are a timeless favorite of the Low-country! 

We encountered a green anole on our first field trip as a Herp class to the Caw Caw Interpretive Center. The individual (pictured above) was a medium sized adult, around 5-8 inches. My guess was based on its size and the color of its dewlap, the green anole was a male. These species are sexually dimorphic in the way that females are typically shorter in length, with a lighter colored and smaller dewlap. Additionally, this individual had a black postorbital eyespot on their head, suggesting it was a dominant male. When the individual was first handled, it was surprisingly calm and did not attempt to escape. It seemed comfortable at first. However, after it was picked up repeatedly, it became bothered and stressed, and struggled to free from the grip of my hand. Once it felt threatened, it stretched out its throat and its dewlap became visible.

Additional Field Notes: