# Dominican Anole (*anolis oculatus*) The Dominican Anole is a small and colorful lizard that can change its color to blend in with its surroundings. It loves to bask in the sun on tree branches and is often seen darting around in search of tasty insects. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Tropical forests and gardens in the Dominican Republic. - **Also known as:** Anole Lizard, Dominican Lizard ![Dominican Anole](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anolis_oculatus_at_Coulibistrie-a01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anolis_oculatus_at_Coulibistrie-a01.jpg) ## Appearance The Dominican Anole is a small lizard with a slender body, often mottled with shades of green, brown, and gray. Males display a large, colorful throat fan (dewlap), which can be yellow, orange, or red. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Dactyloidae - **Genus:** Anolis ## Interesting facts - Each male lizard defends a small area, like his own private backyard, from other males. - Male Dominican Anoles perform push-ups and head-bobs to show off their strength! - Sometimes they drink water by licking dew drops off leaves in the morning sun. - They are found only on the Caribbean island of Dominica, nowhere else in the world! ## Special abilities - **Color Shifter:** Dominican Anole can change its skin color from light to dark because it helps them blend perfectly with their surroundings. - **Sticky Grippers:** Dominican Anole has special scales on its toe pads that help them cling to almost any surface, even smooth leaves and glass. - **Dewlap Display:** Dominican Anole can flash a vibrant throat fan (dewlap) that helps them communicate with other anoles and attract mates. - **Tail Escape:** Dominican Anole can detach its tail when caught by a predator, which helps them escape while the tail wiggles to distract. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 15-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.003-0.008 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-5 years - **Speed:** 10 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1 - **Incubation:** 30-60 days ## Diet & Feeding They munch on tiny insects and spiders, sometimes even sipping on sweet nectar! - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Ants, Spiders, Flies, Nectar, Small Snails - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Dominican Ground Snake (*Alsophis sibonius*) — Hunts them among leaves and branches on the ground. - **Eats:** Silky Ant (*Formica fusca*) — Actively hunts ants on tree trunks and leaves. - **Eaten by:** [American Kestrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-kestrel) (*Falco sparverius*) — Raptors swoop down to catch anoles from above. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Dominican 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 Dominican Anole? 15-25 cm ### How much does Dominican Anole weigh? 0.003-0.008 kg ### How long does Dominican Anole live? 2-5 years ### How fast can Dominican Anole move? 10 km/h ### What does Dominican Anole eat? They munch on tiny insects and spiders, sometimes even sipping on sweet nectar! ### Where is Dominican Anole usually found? Tropical forests and gardens in the Dominican Republic. ### How does Dominican Anole hunt? Ambush ## 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: [Dominican Anole: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dominican-anole)