Cuban Brown Anole

Description:

This is a Cuban brown anole, Anolis sagrei, photographed near the intersection of Perimeter Road and Oak Street Extension in Valdosta, Georgia. This species is not native to the United States (it's originally from Cuba). Anolis sagrei has been well established in the Floridian peninsula for quite some time and has also trekked north and west along the Atlantic and Gulf coast shorelines. In the interior of Georgia, they're a bit common and are usually found near plant nurseries. In Valdosta, we have at least one very large, dense colony of Cuban brown anoles. I've found another (much smaller) colony on the other side of town, as well. Only time will tell how successful these non-native lizards will be in this part of south Georgia -- and how their presence will impact the local, native Carolina green anoles (Anolis carolinensis). [jansonjones http://dusttracks.com]