Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Anolis carolinensis
Carolina Anole

Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia
March 1978

I can't recall ever looking specifically for Anoles.  Like Green Tree Frogs, they just materialize, while I am looking for something else. When I do spot them, I like to spend a few minutes watching them - sometimes the males will display their pink throat fans if you are close to them.  The ones pictured here were photographed in Jasper County, South Carolina in 1998.

These are normally arboreal lizards, living their lives in the bushes and trees.  In populated areas they will take up residence on buildings, and often end up inside them.  They eat many types of small insects.  Anoles were once popular years ago as 'living jewelry'; placed on coats and hats, the lizards would stay put, more or less.  When the lizard died or escaped, one simply went to the five-and-dime and purchased another.  Nowadays people treat animals with more respect for the most part.