Found throughout the southeastern United States — primarily in the states of Georgia and South Carolina — and commonly known as the American chameleon, the green anole lizard is not a true chameleon even though it can change its colors several shades between green and brown. Rather, the Anolis carolinensis — as this common reptile is officially known by its scientific name — is better classified as a trunk-crown ecomorph.
Sunday Morning Photograph May 15 2022: Green Anole Lizard in Georgia.
The green anole can range in length between five inches and eight inches — or between 12 centimeters and 20 centimeters — and “may be either green or brown depending on environmental conditions”, according to this article from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory of the University of Georgia. “When brown, may have faint markings on the back. Males have a pinkish throat fan that is displayed in territorial rivalries or when approaching a potential mate. The green anole is most easily distinguished form the similar brown anole (Anolis sagrei) by green or lightly patterned brown coloration, pinkish throat fan, and by range.”
“There’s no need to worry about this lizard as it is not harmful to humans or your pets”, this article written by Linda Brown for the Galveston County Master Gardener Association, Incorporated assures. “In fact, if you’ve seen these lizards in your yard or home, it most likely means you’re not using pesticides that could harm it. In fact, these lizards are beneficial, as they do feed on a wide variety of small insects such as crickets, cockroaches, moths, grubs, beetles, flies and grasshoppers. They do not chew their food but swallow it whole.”
Final Boarding Call
I am a fan of the throat fan if this species of lizard helps control the population of pests with its appetite.
Please click here for a complete list of the Sunday Morning Photograph series of articles at The Gate.
All photographs ©2008 by Brian Cohen.
