Green Brown Anole Habitat

There are more than a hundred and fifty species of lizards in the West Indies islands and in the Caribbean. And another forty or so species in Mexico, and many more in Central and South America.

The green and brown anoles generally share the same living areas—trees, bushes and shrubs, height off the ground, and sleeping areas.

Brown anoles are newcomers to the United States. They are Cuban immigrants whose ancestors arrived several years ago. It is believed that they were stowaways on banana boats, on cigar ships, and on lumber lines. There are documented instances where Cuban brown anoles were introduced to six different Florida seaports in the 1940s. Since then, it has become the most abundant lizard in peninsular Florida.

Brown anoles are newcomers to the United States. They are Cuban immigrants whose ancestors arrived several years ago. It is believed that they were stowaways on banana boats, on cigar ships, and on lumber lines. There are documented instances where Cuban brown anoles were introduced to six different Florida seaports in the 1940s. Since then, it has become the most abundant lizard in peninsular Florida.

Scientists have found that there can be up to 4,000 Cuban brown anoles per acre (that is as much as 10,000 per hector!) In both natural settings and scientific test sites, green anole populations have fallen sharply when brown anoles were introduced. Brown anoles can be aggressive, and they breed faster and live more densely than the greens.

Today, in the southeastern United States, there are fewer green anoles than ever before. The loss of their Florida habitat and the pressure from invader species—humans of course, but also the brown Cuban anole—have reduced the populations. As humans and brown anoles move in, the greens move away.

During the housing boom in the 1970s, thousands of browns—born and unborn—were transported to different parts of the state hiding in tropical landscape plants. Landscape designers, homeowners, and gardeners purchased these plants from nurseries near Miami and the Florida Keys. Therefore began the great brown anole invasion.

Yes, they can climb trees, mostly looking for food, pursuing a mate or chasing off or hiding from rivals. Anoles are arboreal—the Latin word for arbor refers to trees—meaning they are excellent tree climbers. Green anoles, especially, prefer living in trees.

Sometimes the male will establish a territory and roam an area the size of a football field to stake his territory. Then, once he lays claim to it, he becomes like a sentry guarding a fort. Males without a territory could mean they are possibly without mating companions and are endlessly challenging other males for real estate—instead of breeding.

Sometimes they move short distances by simply establishing themselves higher up in plants and trees (known as displacement), and some move further away as it gets harder to find food and to establish new territories.

If their needs are met in one area there is no reason for anoles to move to another area. However, destruction of their natural habitat remains a problem. Green anoles prefer tall native grasses, high shrubs, vines, and trees that were once abundant in the areas where they live. When native plants are replaced with turf grass and low growing ornamental landscape plants, like in suburban gardens, our little green friends move on.

Brown anoles prefer low, thick cover, such as boxwood, camellia, gardenia, myrtle, oleander, azalea, and honeysuckle that provide coverage low to the ground, creating perfect habitats for the little brown lizards. You will find browns in the woods and swamps, but they are just as at home in areas inhabited by humans. Brown anoles also don’t require as much space as their green neighbors.

When lizards are cold, they will hang out on a rock in the sun to warm up. 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. On the other hand, when they are hot, they will find a cool place under a rock, amongst moist debris, or in the shade.