Everglades National Park Reptiles of Mangrove Marshes and Pinelands

A small, arboreal lizard known for changing color from bright green to brown and for its extendable pink dewlap used in territorial displays. In the Everglades it occupies shrubs, mangrove roots, and low tree branches and is common in disturbed and natural edges.

Small (5–8 cm snout-to-vent), slender-anole with toe pads, visible pink dewlap in males, ability to shift from bright green to brown; often perches on vertical surfaces and bobs head when territorial.

Common Confusions

• Brown Anole Anolis sagrei Brown anoles are typically brown, stockier, and have a different dorsal pattern; green anoles are greener and change color to brown but have a slender snout and distinctive dewlap.
• Cuban Knight Anole Anolis equestris Knight anoles are much larger and typically uniformly green with a bulky head; green anoles are smaller and slimmer.
• Bark Anole Anolis distichus Bark anoles have patterning and a different perch preference (tree trunks); observe size and dewlap color for separation.
• Skink Plestiodon spp. Skinks have smooth, shiny scales and no dewlap; anoles have a visible dewlap and toe pads for climbing.
• Juvenile Lizard Juveniles vary—focus on color change capability, toe pads and dewlap display to identify green anoles.