# Brown Anole (*Anolis sagrei*) The Brown Anole is a small lizard that loves to bask in the sun. It can be found in gardens and on fences. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 613 - **Habitat:** Gardens and urban areas. - **Also known as:** Cuban Brown Anole, Sage Anole ![Brown Anole](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424811/objects/5612.jpg) ## Appearance The Brown Anole is a small, slender lizard typically brown or grayish-brown, often displaying a lighter stripe down its back or intricate darker patterns. Males possess a distinctive, extendable red-orange throat fan, called a dewlap, that helps differentiate them. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Dactyloidae - **Genus:** Anolis ## Interesting facts - Brown Anoles are super invasive; they've spread from Cuba all across the world! - Did you know a single female anole lays one egg every 1-2 weeks for months? - Their eyes can move independently, letting them look in two directions! - These lizards often head-bob and do "push-ups" to claim their territory! ## Special abilities - **Sticky Toes:** Brown Anole has special toe pads covered in tiny lamellae that help them cling to almost any surface, even smooth glass! - **Instant Disguise:** Brown Anole can rapidly change skin color from light to dark brown to blend in, hiding from predators and prey. - **Throat Signal:** Brown Anole males have a vibrant, inflatable dewlap that helps them signal to other anoles, attracting mates and warning rivals. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-20 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-5 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 30-45 days ## Diet & Feeding Tiny hunters, Brown Anoles munch on small bugs and other creepy crawlies they find! - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Flies, Ants, Spiders, Moths - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — a common insect prey source - **Hunts:** House Fly (*Musca domestica*) — a ubiquitous insect prey - **Eaten by:** [North American Racer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-racer) (*Coluber constrictor*) — a native snake predator - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — a significant non-native predator ## 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. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Brown 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 Brown Anole? 13-20 cm ### How much does Brown Anole weigh? 0.003-0.008 kg ### How long does Brown Anole live? 1-5 years ### How fast can Brown Anole move? 12 km/h ### What does Brown Anole eat? Tiny hunters, Brown Anoles munch on small bugs and other creepy crawlies they find! ### Where is Brown Anole usually found? Gardens and urban areas. ### How does Brown Anole hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Allerton Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/allerton-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Bok Tower Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bok-tower-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/corkscrew-swamp-sanctuary) — Florida, US · Nature Reserve - [Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fairchild-tropical-botanic-garden) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Brown Anole](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/brown-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: [Brown Anole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-anole)