Anolis sagrei (Dumeril and Bibron, 1837) Family: Polychrotidae Brown Anole Status: Potential Colonizer
Description: A small to medium sized terrestrial lizard with small granular scales and an elongated, pointed snout. Adult males can reach up to 64 mm SVL and 213 mm TL (Conant and Collins 1998). Individuals are always some shade of brown. They are variably patterned though there is usually a light dorsal stripe as well as lighter lateral stripes and yellowish spots. Females are smaller than males and have a light dorsal stripe that is bounded by dark scallops. Juveniles resemble females in coloration. Though it is always some shade of brown, A. sagrei can change coloration and the intensity of their pattern at will and can appear dark “chocolate” to pale yellowish. Adult males have a large orange-red dewlap with an off-white to yellow outer margin. Even when the dewlap is not extended, this light margin is visible and appears as a stripe down the center of the throat, a useful field mark. Males often develop crests on the neck and tail. A. sagrei can be confused with brown colored A. carolinensis but it is stockier, has a shorter snout, and an orange (opposed to pink) dewlap.
Biology: Mostly terrestrial though it is often seen perched head down on trunks and posts within a few feet of the ground.
Distribution: The brown anole is native to the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico, and the Caribbean. It has been introduced in the U.S.A. to the states of Hawaii, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. It has recently become established in Taipei, Taiwan. It is included in this book because it is an abundant human commensal that occurs in several areas that have high traffic levels to Guam and the Marianna Islands and has proven itself to be a capable colonizer.