Anole Lizard Classification
Anole Classification
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
The Lovable Little Garden Lizards
Let’s take a closer look at the green and brown anole lizard classification. A scientist named Carolus Linnaeus developed a system to classify organisms using Latin terms in what’s called binomial nomenclature, which means “a name with two terms.” This helps scientists classify organisms in a standard way, despite the languages they speak and the countries they are from. Therefore, the first word of the term defines the genus, which is the smallest group of a similar species, and the second word defines the species itself. It’s sort of like a first and last name, like John Smith, the main difference being the one is more specific than the other.
Frequently Asked Questions About Anole Classification
• Domain is the highest taxonomic rank in the hierarchical biological classification system and is above the kingdom level. There are three domains of life, the Archaea, the Bacteria, and the Eucarya. Anoles fall into the domain Eucarya (you-ka-riya), meaning organisms with complex cells.
• Anoles are in the kingdom Animalia (ani-male-e-uh); plant life is not included in this category that is reserved for animals only.
• Also, Anoles are in the phylum Chordata (kor-daht-uh). This group includes animals with spinal cord or backbones. That eliminates worms, insects, and other spineless creature.
• And, Anoles are in the class Reptilia (rep-til-e-uh). This group includes animals that are born on land, have lungs, and need outside sources to heat and cool their body. This group excludes fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals.
• Furthermore, Anoles are in the order Squamata (sqwah-mah-tuh). This category includes lizards and snakes, but not crocodiles or turtles. Anoles are in the suborder Lacertillia (las-er-til-e-yuh); only lizards are members of this exclusive group.
• Therefore, Anoles are in the family Polychrotidae (poly-kro-tee-day), an extremely speciose group consisting primarily of arboreal (tree climbing) lizards.
• In addition, Anoles are in the genus anolis (uh-NOHL-iss). This is actually the most widely distributed genus of lizards in the entire western hemisphere.
• Finally, the last classification is the species. This is the final and most specific classification. There are about 400 species of anoles. The species differ only on a small genetic level—members of the same species might have different colors or patterns or vary in size but are similar in appearance and habits.
The “common green anole” is classified as Anolis carolinensis (car-o-lin-en-sis). Anolis sagrei (sag-ree-eye) is known as the “Cuban brown anole,” also classified as Norops sagrei or simply “brown anole.”
Reptile Classification
Yes, anoles are classified as reptiles and exhibit these traits:
1. Reptiles have dry scaly skin.
2. They have a bony skeleton with a strong flexible backbone, and therefore are classified as vertebrates.
3. They breathe air with the help of lungs.
4. Most reptiles (except for snakes) have four legs and claws with nails on their feet.
5. They rely on external sources to help control their body temperature.
6. Finally, the great majority of reptiles lay shelled eggs on land.
Similarly, other reptiles include geckos, skinks, alligators, crocodiles, snakes, and turtles.
Anole Classification and Behavior
No, at night they tend to sleep on leaves higher up in trees. Similarly, green and brown anole lizard classification identifies them as nocturnal.
They slow down, they become dormant. During the milder winter months, one may see a lone anole in a sunny spot in the garden, but these sightings are rare. In addition, when a cold front moves in, these little lizards hunker down into protected areas—rock crevices, heavy leaf litter, or even behind shutters or siding on a house or garden shed that they use as a winter retreat. Therefore, green and brown anole falls into this anole lizard classification.
Anoles sleep at night, in various positions in trees and shrubs. In other words, look for them in trees and shrubs at night.
They slow down, they become dormant. During the milder winter months, one may see a lone anole in a sunny spot in the garden, but these sightings are rare. In addition, when a cold front moves in, these little lizards hunker down into protected areas—rock crevices, heavy leaf litter, or even behind shutters or siding on a house or garden shed that they use as a winter retreat. Therefore, green and brown anole falls into this anole lizard classification.
No, anoles do not hibernate but do go dormant in some ways. In other words, during true hibernation an animal’s body temperature is so low its metabolism is barely functioning, and darkness and coolness is helpful to sustain this condition. In conclusion, in winter, many reptiles undergo a process like hibernation, called brumation.
According to the dictionary, brumation is “a state or condition of sluggishness, inactivity, or torpor (lethargy) exhibited by reptiles (such as snakes and lizards) during winter or extended periods of low temperature.” Finally, green and brown anole falls into this lizard classification.
More Frequently Asked Questions
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