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, Southern California and other Caribbean islands.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. Its introduction in the United States has altered the behavior and triggered a negative effect on populations of the native Carolina Anole (Anolis carolinensis).
Ten Facts about Brown Anole
- Brown anoles shed their skin. But unlike a snake, they do not shed in one piece but in flakes, some quite large. The shedding anole will rub its skin up against a rock. Then it will wait until more of the skin comes off.
- The brown anole feeds on insects such as crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, spiders, mealworms, and waxworms.
- As a defense mechanism, brown anoles can voluntarily drop off most of their tails when pursued or captured by the tail.
- The lost tail will partially grow back.
- They can be hunted by animals such as rats, snakes, birds and any predator that is larger than they are.
- Males reach approximately 18cm, females slightly smaller at about 14cm.
- A larger group of two males to 10 females should be kept in a terrarium L120cm x H90cm x W45cm.
- Brown anoles are a diurnal species and will bask in the sun. they need a basking site to reach their optimum temperature, and a light which emits UVA and UVB rays.
- By placing more than one basking site in the enclosure you will allow lizards to choose their favourite spot, and allow several lizards to bask in at the same time, as they would do in the wild.
- These basking sites should reach approximately 86-94?F, allowing for a more overall air temperature of 80-84?F and lower down in the enclosure, a cool area of approximately 74-78?F.
