Stats

Lifespan: 2-7 yrs
Size: Small
Diet: Insectivore
Activity: Diurnal
Social: Solitary
Biome: Subtropical forest
Range: North America
Movement: Climbing
Breeding: Egg-laying
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Common

About

The green anole can shift colour from vivid green to muddy brown depending on temperature, stress, and mood — earning it the nickname 'American chameleon' despite being unrelated to true chameleons. Males fan out a rosy-pink dewlap (throat pouch) to court females and warn rivals.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature reptile emerges from its egg already independent.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds and grows, often duller-colored than adults.
3.
adult
Fully grown with adult size and coloration.

Learn more

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Anolidae
Genus: Anolis
Species: Anolis carolinensis