1 hour old Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis, after a gentle misty shower.

Description: Adults maximum length 8 inches; bright green but can change color to light brown but always evenly hued; whitish chin;
females have light stripe down the back and males do not; three factors influence color and change of color: camouflage, temperature, emotion.
When on green vegetation or light background, tend to be green; when on bark or dark background, tend to be brown.
When temperatures are around 70 or higher, tend to stay green; when in 60's or lower, tend to be brown.
When males display for territory or females, they turn bright green; when males fight,
the winner turns bright green and the loser turns brown.
Both males and females have dewlaps although males' slightly larger; they are used for breeding and territorial displays;
Green Anoles in Southwest Florida have cream-colored dewlaps while Green Anoles elsewhere have pinkish dewlaps.
Mature males also have ridge or crest down back called a "roach" which is also used in territorial and breeding displays.

Food: insects and occasionally Brown Anole hatchlings.

Habitat: tree dweller in tropical forests and wooded areas; in West Indies, occupies upper trunk and canopy region
while Brown Anoles occupy lower trunk and ground region; in U.S., will stay on vegetation but may be closer to ground.

Range: South Virginia to the Florida Keys, west to central Texas and Oklahoma. Lifespan: 2-3 years.

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