Green Anole Lizards

Anole lizards are bright green and a common sight in the southern states of the United States. They are sometimes known as American chameleon because of their ability to change color. However, anole lizards and chameleons did not belong to same family. Anolis Carolinensis Porcatus is the scientific name of green anole lizard and they belong to the family Iguanidae. Anole lizards are the largest lizards belonging to this family.

Green Anole Lizards

A green anole lizard is a thin lizard that grows to the size of six to eight inches long. However, when they become old or are injured, the color turns to brown. An anole lizard is green as long as it is healthy and young.

The eyes of an anole lizard are black in color and they move independent of each other.

A male anole lizard has pink patches or flaps on the skin near the throat. These flaps are called dewlaps. The dewlaps are flaunted during the mating period to attract the attention of the female anole lizard.

Like all lizards, an anole breaks off its tail to escape from the claws of the predators. The new tail grows in its place but is shorter and is less attractive. Another interesting feature of an anole lizard is the tail can be shed only once in the lifetime.

An anole lizard loves to feast on insects or grubs of crickets, moths and beetles. They also feed on spiders. A green anole lizard loves to bask in sunny and warm places, and they are diurnal (diurnal means active during the day). This green lizard is quick to move when it senses its prey or the predator. Its sticky feet make it adept at climbing on any kind of surface.

The breeding season of an anole lizard begins in spring and ends in early summer. During the mating period, the male anole lizard would attract the female by flaunting its dewlap. He would also court the female anole lizard. If the female lizard accepts him he would show his agreement by biting her neck.

The female anole lay eggs in summer in a moist and warm places such as shallow holes in the ground or in the decaying vegetation on the treetop. They lay several clutches of eggs, each clutch having 1-2 eggs. The clutches are laid once in 14 days. The gestation period of the eggs is 60-90 days. The hatchlings of a green anole lizard are miniature images of their parents. The life span of an anole lizard is 2 to 3 years.

Many reptile lovers would keep an anole as a pet. Though a green anole lizard is inexpensive, it is not easy to take care of them. A green anole lizard would need plenty of space, warmth, humidity and sunlight.

Are you aware, a pet green anole lizard should be fed on live insects daily? If you are not in a position to provide them with a proper diet, it is best not to keep an anole lizard as a pet. Nevertheless, it is fun and interesting to observe this green-colored reptile regardless of whether you keep as pets or in their natural habitat.