Fun Bahaman Anole Facts For Kids

The brown anole (Anolis sagrei), also called the Bahaman anole, is a lizard native to Cuba and the Bahamas. They are also found from Southern Georgia and Florida to the southern tip of Mexico and the Caribbean. This species is highly invasive. Scientists have found that these species will continue to expand their range northward in the coming years. It was found in the United States in the early '70s and is quite popular as a pet as it is simple and easy to care for. They are non-poisonous reptile who loves warm temperature and are usually very active and will jump around all the time. Brown and green anoles are related in size with comparable feeding habits. There is probably competition between the two related species in their habitat, as they eat each other's hatchlings.

If you loved reading this then also learn more about other animals like Green anole and Marine iguana.

‍

What type of animal is a Bahaman anole?

Bahaman anoles are semi-arboreal lizards.

What class of animal does a Bahaman anole belong to?

Anoles belong to the reptile class of animals who loves feeding on insects.

How many Bahaman anoles are there in the world?

Since the population of brown anole species is increasing and they do not face any threats, their exact estimation is not evaluated yet.

Where does a Bahaman anole live?

The original range of the brown anole's population includes Cuba, the Bahamas, Swan Island, Honduras, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Also, they have been widely introduced throughout the world, with breeding populations in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia. The species has recently been notified from a few locations in extreme southern Alabama. These lizard species live in almost any environment and are often seen in suburban and urban areas too. Brown anoles occur in areas with open vegetation, grasses, shrubs, on a tree, and moist forested areas.

What is a Bahaman anole's habitat?

Brown anoles are a trunk-ground terrestrial species sighted in abundance in areas with open vegetation as well as moist forested places. However, at times, it can obtain the higher corners in trees, placing the species in the tree-crown dweller kind as well. Brown anole also enjoys a semi-tropical environment with a humidity of between 40-80%. They form their boundary among shrubs, vines, fences, and trees. The gray and brown coloration and pattern on the brown anoles help camouflage them against a backdrop of bark and dead leaves.

Who do Bahaman anoles live with?

Brown anoles are cooperative species and should be placed in groups. Keeping a single anole species will deprive it of the much-needed stimulation offered by the surrounding lizards or other animals like turtles or tortoises. An absolute group consists of one male to five female brown anoles because males are territorial and may present a fight with one another.

How long does a Bahaman anole live?

Brown anoles can live up to five years in the natural habitat and eight years in captivity. Very few brown anole species live this long in the wild, though, and the common lifespan in captivity is also about four years.

How do they reproduce?

Brown anoles species (Anolis sagrei) are polygynous, meaning that one male partners with more than one female. The breeding takes place between late spring and early summer. Female brown anoles lay one to two eggs every one or two weeks throughout the breeding season. For the successful development of eggs, females search for moist habitats. After laying eggs, the female closes them and leaves. Incubation takes around six to eight weeks, and the eggs hatch after 30-45 days. The young are fully developed and independent at birth. Juveniles become reproductively mature at one year of age.

What is their conservation status?

This sagrei anole is an abundant species that is not believed to be in need of special conservation efforts. Brown anoles population does not pose a threat at present. Hence they come under Least Concern.

What do Bahaman anoles look like?

Brown anole is medium-sized, robust with a short and broad head, and covered in tiny scales. Compared to other anole species, it has a notably sharp nose, long claws, and a long tail. Its long toes and shortened toe-pad surface area aids the brown anole to run and jump. Apart from that, its feet pads contain millions of microscopic fibers that allow it to hold on to almost any kind of smooth, glass, or textured surface.

The brown anole is sexually dimorphic (that is, representing two forms), with males being larger in size than females.  Males' coloration differs highly, from light grey to stark-black and from similar color to multiple colorations. Female species coloration includes an extensive range as well. However, they always have a white stripe on the back with a dark triangle shape pattern that is a very prominent feature.

The unique peculiarity of the male brown anole is its dewlap. It is a throat fan that the male can enlarge to reveal an orange-red color performance for territorial and courting purposes. Females also have, but theirs are relatively smaller versions, and they do not use them. The brown anole can be easily recognized from its relative species, the native green anole, because the green anole is green in coloration and has a much longer, pointed snout.  However, green anoles can change colors like a chameleon to camouflage, and its throat fan is a faded pink shade.

How cute are they?

Animal lovers will definitely find them unique and cute. But the people who hate lizards will surely not want them around their houses. Also, the dewlap looks dangerous when enlarged by the anoles.

How do they communicate?

The brown anole uses visual signals as their primary cue mode. Males prefer to have high vantage points so they can survey their territory in search of females to mate with or to locate other rival males that have infringed on their area. While courting a female, males will be seen bobbing their head up and down and then extending their throat fan or will do push-ups.

When scared, brown anoles can detach most of their tail. The piece that falls off continues to move, thus distracting the predator and allowing them to escape. The lost tail will partly regrow. If provoked, Brown anoles will bite, urinate, and defecate and may even display a short hiss if caught, injured, or fighting.

How big is a Bahaman anole?

The brown anole species can grow up to 2.99-7.84 in (7.6-20 cm)

How fast can a Bahaman anole move?

They are very rapid in their movement and are difficult to catch.

How much does a Bahaman anole weigh?

The brown anole weighs between 0.066-0.017 lbs  (3-8 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male and female do not have a specific name. The main difference between them is the male is larger in size than a female.

What would you call a baby Bahaman anole?

The baby brown anole is known as a hatchling. They are fully developed and smart species at birth.

What do they eat?

Brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) are carnivores (insectivores) and love to feed on small arthropods such as crickets, moths, ants, grasshoppers, cockroaches, mealworms, spiders, and waxworms. They may also indulge in eating other lizards, such as skinks and Carolina anole, lizard eggs, and their own shedded skin and detached tails.  Brown anoles also prefer eating aquatic arthropods or small fish near water- nearly anything that fits their mouths.

Are they poisonous?

Anole lizards are not poisonous. But it is essential to handle them carefully as it doesn’t like to be cuddled. You have to ensure that you wash the hands properly with disinfectant soap after handling the pet or any part of its tank.

Would they make a good pet?

The brown anole is known to be a pleasant animal who loves to live in groups. These lizards can be kept as pets. Only care should be taken that they are notorious for breaking off their tail when threatened or feared, and they love live preys and not dead ones. Also, they are highly territorial and loves to defend their spaces. It is best advised to keep one female with five males.  

Did you know...

Anoles are the most abundant reptiles in areas where they are firmly stabilized. They have become one of the most abundant lizards in Florida and like spending most of their time resting on tree branches or stones, soaking up the sun. Green anoles can swim and float in the water.

Do Bahaman anoles change color?

Brown anoles can't turn green, but they can switch from brown to black or gray. Both green and brown anoles species use hormones to change their color depending upon their mood, temperature, and light. They prefer a humid and warm environment, and therefore make sure they get one in your tank as it will aid in moving freely and regulate their temperature. The green anoles turn brown when the temperature gets cold.

Are Bahaman anoles aggressive?

These anoles are quite an aggressive species of lizards as when provoked, they urinate, defecate and even hiss and bite. Also, pet keepers should keep in mind that, they love their territories in the wild, and the same will be followed in the tank as well.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these frilled lizard facts and green tree python facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Bahaman anole coloring pages.