Terrarium Lizards

The Brown Anole , Anolis sagrei (or Norops sagrei ) is a lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. It has been widely introduced elsewhere, and is now found in Florida and as far north as Southern Georgia, Texas, Taiwan, Hawaii, and other Caribbean islands. Its introduction in the USA has altered the behavior and triggered a negative effect on populations of the native Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis , also called the Carolina Anole. This species is highly invasive. In its introduced range it reaches exceptionally high population densities, is capable of expanding its range at an exponential rate, and both out competes and consumes many species of native lizards.

Behavior

Unlike the green anole which prefers foliage, the brown anole is found often on the ground. They are athletic creatures that run fast, and jump many times their length. They can also climb straight up almost any surface at blinding speed. The brown anole gets used to humans and can be studied at close range. Native Green anoles can be easily collected at night with the aid of a headlamp by searching branches were they routinely sleep. Their color turns an almost neon green at night and are easily captured, but Brown anoles tend to be very wary, even at night when most lizards sleep. There has been a documented account of hybridization with Green anoles in Panama City Beach Fl.

Molting

Both the brown anole and the green anole molt (shed). But unlike a snake, they do not shed in one piece but in flakes, some quite large. The molting anole grooms itself for about 25 minutes and then eats the flakes. A problem that can present itself in captivity is that the shed skin sticks to the anole if proper humidity is not present. The unshed layer of skin can build up around the eyes area, preventing the lizard from feeding and leading to starvation. This problem can be prevented with heavy misting of the terrariums or aquariums.

Food

The brown anole feeds on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, spiders, mealworms, and waxworms. It may also eat other lizards, such as the green anole, and lizard eggs. They will also usually eat their molted skin.

Predation

As a defense mechanism, Brown anoles can voluntarily drop off most of their tails when pursued or captured by the tail. The bit that breaks off thrashes around, distracting the predator as the anole makes its escape. The lost tail will partially grow back.

References

1. ^ Kolbe, J.J., R.E. Glor, L.R. Schettino, A.C. Lara, A. Larson and J.B. Losos 2004. 'Genetic variation increases during biological invasion by a Cuban lizard Nature 431:177-181
2. ^ Losos, J.B., J.C. Marks and T. W. Schoener. (1993). Habitat use and ecological interactions of an introduced and a native species of Anolis lizard on Grand Cayman, with a review of the outcomes of anole introductions . Oecologia 95 :525-532
3. ^ Campbell, T.S. 2000. Analysis of the effects of an exotic lizard (Anolis sagrei) on a native lizard (Anolis carolinensis) in Florida, using islands as experimental units. PhD Thesis, Univ. of Tennessee
4. ^ Gerber, G.P. and Echternacht, A.C. 2000. Evidence for asymmetrical intraguild predation between native and introduced Anolis lizards. Oecologia 124: 599-607.
5. ^ Casanova, L. 2004. "Norops sagrei" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed July 31, 2008

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