Brown Anole: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Lizards · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. A female brown anole lays a single egg roughly every two weeks, for a total of 15 to 18 eggs in one breeding season.
2. A male brown anole flashes a throat flap called a dewlap. It is red or yellow, while the rest of him is brown.
3. A male brown anole that loses his tail keeps the same territory size and dominance.
4. Bigger male brown anoles claim higher perches and start more fights. Smaller rivals stay low and often just nod.
5. Brown anoles spread in the U.S. after an intentional release of roughly 100 in 1941 and by hitchhiking in plant pots.

The quiz

1. How often does a female brown anole lay an egg?

• Every day
• Once a year
• About every two weeks (correct)
• About every two months

She lays a single egg about every two weeks.

2. What colour is a male brown anole's dewlap?

• Red or yellow (correct)
• Bright blue
• Pure white
• Black

The dewlap is red or yellow, while the rest of the anole is brown.

3. What happens to a male's territory if he loses his tail?

• It shrinks
• It doubles
• A rival takes it over
• Nothing, it stays the same (correct)

His territory size and dominance stay unchanged.

4. What do smaller male brown anoles often do when facing a rival?

• Climb to the top perch
• Stay low and nod (correct)
• Run into the water
• Drop their tails

Smaller rivals stay low and often just nod.

5. Roughly how many brown anoles were intentionally released in the U.S. in 1941?

• Roughly 100 (correct)
• Roughly 10
• Roughly 1,000
• Roughly 50,000

A release of roughly 100 individuals in 1941 jump-started the spread.

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