Identification
The Carolina 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. Body length is up to 3 inches long and the tail can be as long as 8 inches. (similar to the length of an average pen).
Habitat
Native to North America, found mainly in the southeast.
Behavior
The males are very territorial. Active during the day throughout the year, but in winter months it is dependent on the temperature and sun.
Mating
Breeding season starts as early as April and ends in late September. Males patrol their territory and show off their colors(throat pouches). 2-4 weeks after mating the female lays the first clutch of one or two round eggs. She can produce an egg every two weeks during the breeding season, until about 10 eggs.
Offspring
Eggs are soft-shelled and .25-.5 inches(like a TicTac). She leaves them to incubate by the heat of the sun in soft soil, leaf litter, compost, rotting wood, etc. If successful they will hatch about 30-45 days later. Hatchlings are 2-2.5 inches long (like a stick of gum) and look like adults. They mature in about 8 months.
Predators
Skinks, snakes, birds, house cats
Diet
They eat small insects: crickets, grasshoppers, flies, and spiders.
Fun Fact
The anole changes its color depending on its mood, level of stress, activity level, and as a social signal (for example, displaying dominance), not for camouflage.
They have autotomic tails that break off and regrow.
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