Cuban Brown Anole

Description:

Brown anole males and females differ somewhat in coloration: males have a dark stripe down their backs, females a light stripe. Male has brightly colored throat fan, which is yellow or reddish-orange. As a defense mechanism, Brown Anoles can detach most of their tails when pursued or captured. The piece that breaks off will continue to move, hopefully distracting the predator allowing the anole to escape. The lost tail will partially regrow. If provoked, the Brown Anole will bite, urinate, and defecate.

Habitat:

Brown anoles prefer a day temp 82-86F, night temp 75-80F, substrate of potting soil and washed play sand mix, leaves, orchard bark.

Notes:

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).