Anolis carolinensis
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2021) |
Green anole | |
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Typical green color (above) and brown form (below) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Iguania |
Family: | Dactyloidae |
Genus: | Anolis |
Species: | A. carolinensis
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Binomial name | |
Anolis carolinensis |
Anolis carolinensis or green anole (
Other names include the Carolina anole, Carolina green anole, American anole, American green anole, North American green anole and red-throated anole. It is commonly called chameleon in the southeastern United States and sometimes referred to as the American chameleon (typically in the pet trade) due to its color-changing ability; however, it is not a true
Description
The anole is a small to medium-sized lizard, with a slender body. The head is long and pointed with ridges between the eyes and nostrils, and smaller ones on the top of the head. The toes have adhesive pads to facilitate climbing. They exhibit sexual dimorphism, the males being fifteen percent larger.
Adult males are usually 12.5–20.3 cm (4.9–8.0 in) long, with about 60-70% of which is made up of its tail, with a body length up to 7.5 cm (3.0 in) and can weigh from 3–7 g (0.11–0.25 oz).[3][6][7][8]
Coloration and color morphs
Colour varies from brown to green and can be changed like many other kinds of lizards, but anoles are closely related to
Typical coloration for a green anole ranges from bright green to dark brown, with little variation in between. The color spectrum is a result of three layers of pigment cells or
A lack in one of the pigment genes causes color exceptions. These color mutations are also called phases. The rare blue-phased green anole lacks xanthophores, which results in a blue, rather than red, often pastel blue, anole. These specimens have become popular recently in the pet trade market. When the anole is completely lacking xanthophores, it is said to be axanthic and the animal will have a completely pastel- or baby-blue hue. They are extremely rare—usually produced in one of every 20,000 individual anoles in the wild. Another phase is the yellow-phased green anole, which lacks cyanophores. Colonies of these rare color-phased anoles have been reported, but anoles with these color mutations rarely live for long, since the green color provides camouflage for hunting down prey, as well as hiding from predators.
Taxonomy
Anolis carolinensis is a species of the large lizard genus Anolis within the family Dactyloidae (anole lizards). Within the genus, thirteen species have been identified as a distinct clade, referred to as the Anolis carolinensis series. This group are mid-sized trunk crown anoles with large conspicuously elongated heads and extreme levels of sexual dimorphism. The species was named by Friedrich Siegmund Voigt (1781 - 1850) in 1832.[2]
Distribution and habitat
This species is native to
The species has been introduced into various locales in the Pacific and the Caribbean:
A. carolinensis is arboreal in nature but may be seen on the ground and frequently seen on shrubs in the low country of the Carolinas. However, it can live in cities like Atlanta with little trouble so long as there is plentiful vegetation and bugs to eat. One can observe them on steps, trellises, and railings adjacent to foliage; on particularly hot summer days they may seek to cool off on indoor walls or on wrap around porches of older buildings, and in the former case can simply be captured in a shoebox and gently placed outdoors. It is common on roadsides, the edges of forests where there are shrubs and vines, but also construction sites having abundant foliage and sunlight. Their preferred habitat is open pine communities with a greater shrub density, it may harbor a greater abundance of anoles [18] where they are able to watch for prey and intruders coming into their territory.
Conservation
Although not threatened as a species, Carolina anoles increasingly struggle with competition from introduced anole species, such as the brown anole (Anolis sagrei), also known as the Bahamian anole. This competition happened to be an interesting model for evolutionary studies, as it illustrates the process of adaptation. When A. sagrei first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s,[19] the Carolina anole mostly ceded ground-level territories and were relegated to a very different ecosystem high in the treetops. On occasion, more aggressive Carolina anole individuals may still be seen closer to the ground. Currently, A. carolinensis is abundant in its area of distribution and is able to thrive in disturbed areas, so it is not considered threatened, but A. sagrei may represent a developing threat in some areas.[3]
Relationships and hybridization
A. carolinensis has been found to regularly hybridize with a closely related species, Anolis porcatus (the
Behavior
Male anoles are strongly territorial creatures. Some have even been witnessed fighting their own reflections in mirrored glass. The male will fight other males to defend his territory.[21] On sighting another male, the anole will compress his body, extend the dewlap, inflate a dorsal ridge, bob his head and attempt to chase the rival away. If the rival male continues to approach, anoles will fight by biting and scratching each other. Studies have also shown that there is a positive correlation between bite-force and the size of the individual's dewlap.[4]
One study showed that heavyweights had 50% higher testosterone concentrations than lightweights during the breeding season. It seems that disproportionately larger heads and dewlaps may be correlated to higher bite forces of heavyweights.[4] Those with darker colorations will choose lower perch sites compared to their lighter conspecifics.[22] For heavyweight males of the same size the one with the higher bite force wins disputes more frequently.[23]
Adult female anoles have much smaller dewlaps that they rarely use during encounters with other anoles and never use during courting.[4] Serious injury is rare, but males often carry numerous scars on their heads and faces, especially during the mating season. Their territories, which are about 1 m3 (35 cu ft), usually include two to three females.[3][10]
The Carolina anole is diurnal and active throughout the year, peaking in spring and fall. Winter activity is dependent on sun and temperature.[3]
Diet
An anole's diet consists primarily of small
Predators
Major predators include the
Anoles are
Reproduction
The typical breeding season for Carolina anoles starts as early as April and ends in late September,
During this time, the males patrol their territory and the most brilliant displays of these creatures can be seen. Males defend their territory and females from rivals, while courting the females with elaborate displays of extending their brightly colored
The female matures one
The eggs are left to incubate by the heat of the sun, and if successful, will hatch in about five to seven weeks (30–45 days) from late May to early October. The incubation temperature has to be 80 to 85 °F (27 to 29 °C). On hatching, the
The hatchlings must fend for themselves, as they are not cared for by either parent. The young hatchlings must be wary of other adult anoles in the area, as well as larger reptiles and mammals, which could eat them. Younger anoles differ from adults in having less obvious head ridges, a wider head and shorter tail. They mature in about eight months.[3]
Captivity
This section contains instructions, advice, or how-to content. (June 2019) |
Carolina anoles' nervous natures makes it advisable not to attempt to handle them very often; despite this, Carolina anoles are popular pets. Individual animals may or may not adapt readily to cage life. Care must be taken to ensure the animals receive the support they need to adapt to captivity and live full and enriching lives; an adequately sized enclosure, as well as the appropriate plants and substrate material, are beneficial to the health of captive Carolina anoles.
A green anole in captivity, if cared properly, can live up to 8 years.[29] These lizards can be easily kept in a 10-gallon aquarium as they rarely grow more than 8 inches.
However, there should be one male green anole in a tank as they are territorial and may end up fighting for the territory. Keeping multiple female green anoles in a tank won't create any problem unless there isn't enough room for them.
Keeping a green anole in captivity is not a tough task, people consider this as the beginners pet as they are easy to care. A few things that needs to be taken care of:
- Humidity: Humidity level should be kept at 60-70%.
- Day Temperature: Day temperature should be maintained at 77–86 °F (25–30 °C).
- Night Temperature: Night Temperature should be maintained at 70–75 °F (21–24 °C)
- Basking Spot: A basking light should be installed in the green anole tank and a temperature of 90–95 °F (32–35 °C) must be maintained.
- Lighting: Natural light is best for reptiles, but a UVB light can be installed in the terrarium, a 5.0 UVB light would be a good option.
- Substrate: Green anoles are terrestrial lizards and spend most of their time on ground or climbing plants, they do not dig or burrow. A substrate should not be harmful for their skin. Substrate can be made using coconut coir, moss, reptile soil, etc., which is natural and also helps maintaining moisture and temperature.
- Diet: Hatchlings should be given 2-3 food items (insects) once a day, whereas, an adult should be fed 2-3 food insects every other day. Gut loading or Dusting of insects can provide better nutrients to the lizards in captivity.[30]
Genomics
This species has been chosen as a
Gallery
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Detail of head, green
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Female (brown form)
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Detail of head, brown
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Color change from green phase to brown phase
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When under a sharp shadow, the skin of the green anole may change color unevenly, temporarily leaving an imprint of the shadow
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Female (brown) displaying dewlap
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Male anole with extended dewlap
References
- . Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b Voigt F.S. 1832: In Cuvier's Das Thierreich, geordnet nach seiner Organisation: als Grundlage der Naturgeschichte der Thiere und Einleitung in die vergleichende Anatomie, Vol. 2: 71.
- ^ ISBN 0820331112
- ^ S2CID 8600107.
- JSTOR 1566045.
- ^ Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
- ^ Animal Diversity Web, p. 1
- ^ Animal Diversity Web, p. 2
- ^ NCBI Taxonomy Browser
- ^ ISBN 0807842524
- ^ S2CID 89681106.
- JSTOR 1466995.
- ISBN 978-0-520-26984-2.
- .
- ^ "False Cape State Park". Retrieved 2020-05-20.
- .
- ^ Gary Nafis (2013). "Non-Native Reptiles and Amphibians Established In California". CaliforniaHerps.com. Retrieved 2013-02-01.
- S2CID 16829563.
- ^ Daniel F. Culbert; County Extension Agent (2002). "LEAPIN' LIZARDS". University of Florida IFAS extension. Retrieved 2014-05-09.
- ^ . Retrieved May 5, 2022.
- ^ Sezen, Uzay. "Territorial aggression between two green anole males". Retrieved 16 July 2011.
- PMID 21881562.
- PMID 15590602.
- ^ "Anolis carolinensis (Green anole)". Animal Diversity Web.
- ^ "Intraspecific correlations among morphology, performance and habitat use within a green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) population". academic.oup.com. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ S2CID 52258994.
- ^ Greenberg, Bernard, and Gladwyn Kingsley Noble. "Social behavior of the American chameleon (Anolis carolinensis Voigt)." Physiological Zoology 17.4 (1944): 392-439.
- ^ Crews, David. "Hemipenile preference: stimulus control of male mounting behavior in the lizard Anolis carolinensis." Science 199.4325 (1978): 195-196.
- ^ Burns, Brian (2023-09-22). "LifeSpan of an Anole Lizard and Anole Lifecycle - Anole Lizard Care". Anole Lizard Care. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ "Anole Care". CHICAGO EXOTICS ANIMAL HOSPITAL. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ "NHGRI's Large-Scale Sequencing Research Network Sets Its Sights on Disease Targets" (Press release). NIH News. 2005-10-17.
- ^ Ad hoc Reptilian Genomics Working Group (2005-07-11). "Proposal to Sequence the First Reptilian Genome: the Green Anole Lizard, Anolis carolinensis" (PDF). National Human Genome Research Institute. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
- ^ Sezen, Uzay. "Green anole changing color". Retrieved 16 May 2011.
- .
- PMID 21881562.
O'Bryant, E. L., & Wade, J. (2001). Development of a sexually dimorphic neuromuscular system involved in green anole courtship behavior. Brain, Behavior and Evolution, 58(6), 362–369. https://doi.org/10.1159/000057577