While studying at my pool the other day I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and spotted a small green anole (Anolis carolinensis) running along the wall. During the summer, I typically see a few basking on the bricks around the pool before being disturbed and running away. Luckily, I was able to catch a picture of it before it hid from me.
Because of the white dorsal stripe, this specific anole was most likely a female. Anoles have an interesting ability among lizards to change colors, although not as radically as chameleons do. They can change from green to brown when fighting for dominance or – in the case of this lizard – stressed. When I first saw the anole run by it was a much brighter green, but as I tried to run after it to catch a picture it definitely seemed to get darker around the head and tail which is shown in the photo (which is actually a screenshot from a video).
Anoles are arboreal. Their expanded finger pads allow them to quickly run across walls and plants as well as jump long distances without worry. I am fairly certain that they tend to live inside the piping and lamps and holes in the brick caused by them, which is why they are seen so often on this specific brick wall. It also is hit directly by the sun until around 3pm every day. When I saw it, the wall was probably at its warmest since it was midday – the sun was directly overhead.
This class has definitely made seeing the various anoles around my pool a lot more exciting now that I have the knowledge to recognize them as specific organisms instead of just “little guys.”
Elmer, Nicole L, and About the author Nicole L Elmer . “Backyard Biodiversity: Green Anoles.” Biodiversity Center, 23 May 2022, https://biodiversity.utexas.edu/news/entry/backyard-biodiversity-green-anoles.
2 comments:
A warm brick wall sounds like a nice place for basking!
The Anolis carolinensis is always a fun find! I agree with you, I'm glad I can now identify them and have some knowledge versus just seeing another "lizard".
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