Jonathan Losos reporting for “Anole Annals”

 

This fella (see pics) was caught a week and a half ago near North Side fire station, Grand Cayman. It’s the first green anole found outside the capital, George Town. The question: what is it? Anolis carolinensis? Anolis porcatus? Something else?

In fact, I frequently get asked whether a particular green anole is carolinensis or porcatus. Some people say they can tell them apart. I’m not so sure.

“Anole Annals” is written and edited by scientists who study Anolis lizards. Their goal is to disseminate new scientific research, natural history anecdotes, and a wide range of other anole-related information.

Note: The commonest anole is the Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis). It is an arboreal lizard found primarily in the southeastern United States and some Caribbean islands. Other common names include the green anole, American anole and red-throated anole. It is sometimes referred to as the American chameleon due to its colour-changing abilities; however, many lizards are capable of this, and anoles are not true chameleons. They are a small lizard, usually measuring 6-8in, about half of which is comprised by tail, and weighing 3–7 g (0.11–0.25 oz). Exceptionally, these anoles can measure up to 20 cm (7.9 in).  [From Wikipedia].