Green Anole Lizard
Anolis carolinensis

Other Images of Green Anoles

• juvenile
• adult, eating shed skin
• adult, male, belly (greatly enlarged image)
• mating pair

Green Anoles are abundantly found throughout South Carolina and much of the other southeastern states from North Carolina to eastern Texas. These are hardy lizards which often appear on warm winter days. They are slow moving, gangly-looking lizards of 5 to 8 inches in total length.

These lizards have the ability to change their color from bright green to brown. For this reason, they are sometimes mistakenly called chameleons. The males engage in combat and mating displays in which a pink fan of skin is expanded below the throat.

They have expanded toes with many folds which enable them to climb many vertical surfaces, including window glass.

Green Anoles feed mainly upon insects and spiders.

updated: January 18, 2006
Contact: South Carolina Reptiles and Amphibians