As I sat on the back deck this morning, my interest was drawn to several displaying or battling anoles. We have both common kinds here, the indigenous green anole, Anolis carolinensis, and the firmly established Cuban brown, A. s. sagrei. During the spring and summer, when breeding and territoriality are at their peak, it takes only the presence of two males to create a war zone. In autumn and winter they are a bit less belligerent but only a bit! Females show little interest in each other.



I have heard ad infinitum that the browns will overun and (presumably) extirpate the greens, that the browns do not belong here and should themselves be extirpated. Perhaps at some time in the future extirpation of the green anole by the brown may occur, but for now, wherever I have taken the time to watch the various interactions, the scores of the skirmishes seem about even. The anoles battle, sometimes green on green, sometimes brown on brown, but as often as not it is one species against the other, and if of equal size early attempts of determining a winner is almost futile.

Whether you like or hate them, the brown anoles are here to stay. They often position themselves on fences, railings, and the lower trunks of trees and shrubs. The native (color changing) greens may also be seen in/on these locations but they are usually higher from the ground, often in the tree canopy. The two species, then, are at least partially partitioned.

But, during breeding season, when the males are "set on feisty," when they do meet the show is on!

More photos under the jump...