Anolis carolinensis (Voight, 1832)
Family: Polychrotidae Green Anole, Gaulik Status: Established Description: Adults are can grow up to 75 mm SVL and are between 125 and 203 mm in total length (Conant and Collins). The green anole is a long thin lizard with a pointed snout and flattened toe pads. Adult males have bright pink flap of extensible throat skin that is used in territorial displays. Color can range from dark brown to bright green depending on temperature and temperament. Females and juveniles have a light dorsal stripe with irregular margins. The green anole is not likely to be confused with any other species of lizard in the Marianas. The only other species of green lizard is the green tree skink, Lamprolepis smaragdina. It can be distinguished from the green anole by its relatively large glossy scales, each of which has some black pigmentation. It also lacks the expanded toe pads and dewlap that are present in Anolis Biology: Anolis carolinensis is a diurnal, arboreal lizard that occupies a wide variety of habitats from forests to disturbed urban sites. It is most common in open areas and forest margins with lots of sun exposure. This species is a favored prey item of the brown treesnake (Boiga irregularis) and on Guam, predation by this snake restricts A. carolinensis to near buildings and lawns where snakes don’t often venture. Eggs are buried in moist soil, sphagnum, leaf litter, rotting wood, or under rocks and debris. Green anoles often sleep exposed at the tips of braches and can easily be found at night with the aid of a flashlight. It is possible that this choice of sleeping sites makes it particularly vulnerable to predation by the brown treesnake. Distribution: The green anole is native to the southeastern USA but it has been introduced to many areas of the globe. Introduced populations can be found on the Ryukyu Islands, Mexico, Spain, Hawaii and some Caribbean islands . It was intentionally introduced to the Mariana Islands of Guam (ca. 1960) and Saipan (ca. 1970). Currently populations occur on Saipan, Guam, Rota, and Tinian (Vogt and Williams 2004) as well as Cocos Island off of the southern tip of Guam (pers. obs). Reports of a related invasive on Guam, the brown anole (A. sagrei), have so far proven false. Vogt, S. and L. Williams. 2004. Common Flora and Fauna of the Mariana Islands. |