# Bark Anole (*Anolis distichus*) The Bark Anole is a small lizard that loves to climb trees and hide in the bark. They can change color to blend in with their surroundings, making them great at hiding from predators! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Forests ![Bark Anole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anolis_distichus_dewlap.jpg&width=800) Photo: Ianaré Sévi, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anolis_distichus_dewlap.jpg) ## Appearance The Bark Anole is a small lizard with rough, textured skin, usually mottled brown or gray, allowing it to blend perfectly with tree bark. Some have a lighter stripe down their back. Males display a prominent, brightly colored throat dewlap, often yellow or orange. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Dactyloidae - **Genus:** Anolis ## Interesting facts - Bark Anoles can move each eye independently, giving them a super wide view all around! - Despite their small size, male Bark Anoles fiercely defend their tiny patch of tree trunk territory. - If caught by a predator, a Bark Anole can drop its tail to escape, and it will grow back! - These lizards communicate by doing head bobs and push-ups, sending secret messages to each other. ## Special abilities - **Super Camouflage:** Bark Anole can change its skin color from light to dark brown because of specialized cells, helping them disappear against tree bark. - **Climbing Grip:** Bark Anole has tiny lamellae on its toes that help them cling to smooth surfaces like glass, making them amazing climbers. - **Flashy Dewlap:** Bark Anole can extend a colorful throat dewlap to attract mates or warn off rivals, making it look bigger and bolder. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.002-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Clutch Size:** 1-2 - **Incubation:** 30-60 days ## Diet & Feeding Bark Anoles are tiny hunters who love to eat all sorts of small insects and other invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Spiders, Flies, Ants, Small beetles - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Black Racer (*Coluber constrictor*) — A common snake predator in their range. - **Depends on:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — Competes for similar insect prey and basking spots. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Introduced predator that hunts small lizards. ## Traits - [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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch lizards from a distance and don't try to catch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bark 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 Bark Anole? 12-20 cm ### How much does Bark Anole weigh? 0.002-0.005 kg ### How long does Bark Anole live? 2-5 years ### What does Bark Anole eat? Bark Anoles are tiny hunters who love to eat all sorts of small insects and other invertebrates. ### Where is Bark Anole usually found? Forests ### How does Bark Anole hunt? Ambush ### How many eggs does Bark Anole lay? 1-2 ## Where to spot - [John C. Gifford Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/john-c-gifford-arboretum) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-tropical-forest-and-botanical-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [MacFarlane Homestead Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/macfarlane-homestead-historic-district) — Florida, US · Historic District - [Normandy Isles Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/normandy-isles-historic-district) — US · Historic District - [Pinecrest Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pinecrest-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Tamiami Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tamiami-regional-park) — Florida, US · Park [View all places to see Bark Anole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bark-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: [Bark Anole: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bark-anole)