Red-throated anole

Description:

This lizard was resting on a pot in my garden. The typical coloration for a green anole ranges from the richest and brightest of greens to the darkest of browns, with little variation in between. The color spectrum is a result of three layers of pigment cells or chromatophores: the xanthophores, responsible for the yellow pigmentation; cyanophores, responsible for the blue pigmentation, and melanophores, responsible for the brown and black pigmentation. The anole changes its color depending on mood, level of stress, activity level and as a social signal (for example, displaying dominance). Although often claimed, evidence does not support that they do it in response to the color of the background (camouflage). This anole was spotted at around 10:00 am in the morning.

Habitat:

In my garden, Fort Worth, Texas.

Notes:

Some people call these anoles 'chamleons', due to their ability to change color of their body.