# Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) Anoles are small lizards that can change color to match their surroundings. They love climbing trees and basking in the sun to stay warm. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 346 - **Habitat:** Forests - **Also known as:** American Anole, Anoles, Carolina Anole, Green Anole ![Anole](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424779/objects/5864.jpg) ## Appearance The Anole is a slender, medium-sized lizard, typically vibrant green, but can rapidly change to brown or grey. Males display a prominent, inflatable pink or red dewlap under their chin, making them visually distinct from similar lizards. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Dactyloidae - **Genus:** Anolis ## Interesting facts - Anoles are often called "American Chameleons" for their quick color changes! - Anoles can lick their own eyeballs to keep them clean and moist! - Male anoles perform vigorous "push-ups" to impress females and warn rivals! - They use their tongues to "taste" the air for smells of food or danger! ## Special abilities - **Chameleon Cloak:** Anole can change its skin color from bright green to brown to camouflage perfectly with its surroundings. - **Sticky Climber Pads:** Anole has specialized lamellae on its toe pads with microscopic hairs that create strong adhesion, helping it climb smooth surfaces. - **Escape Tail Drop:** Anole can purposefully detach its tail when a predator grabs it, allowing the lizard to escape while the tail wiggles. - **Throat Fan Signal:** Anole has a colorful throat fan (dewlap) that it can extend to communicate with other anoles and attract mates. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12.5-20.3 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.007 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-8 years - **Speed:** 6 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 30-45 days ## Diet & Feeding These agile hunters primarily feast on small insects and spiders, keeping garden pests in check. - **Primary Foods:** crickets, grasshoppers, flies, spiders, beetles, moths - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — A common predator in its native habitat. - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — A small bird of prey that hunts anoles. - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — A common insect prey item for anoles. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — An anole favorite, providing essential protein. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Tool Use](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/tool-use): This trait describes organisms that manipulate external objects to achieve a specific goal. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Observe anoles from a distance and avoid touching or chasing them to keep them safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anole? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Anole? 12.5-20.3 cm ### How much does Anole weigh? 0.003-0.007 kg ### How long does Anole live? 2-8 years ### How fast can Anole move? 6 km/h ### What does Anole eat? These agile hunters primarily feast on small insects and spiders, keeping garden pests in check. ### Where is Anole usually found? Forests ### How does Anole hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Americus Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/americus-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Anderson University](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anderson-university) — South Carolina, US · Campus - [Ashley River Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashley-river-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Audubon Place Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/audubon-place-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Bainbridge Commercial Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bainbridge-commercial-historic-district) — Georgia, US · Historic District - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Anole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/anole) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Anole: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anole)