Anolis cristatellus
| Crested anole | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A. c. cristatellus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Dactyloidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: | A. cristatellus |
| Binomial name | |
| Anolis cristatellus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The crested anole (Anolis cristatellus), also known as the common Puerto Rican anole, is a species of anole belonging to the Dactyloidae family of reptiles.
Subspecies
- A. c. cristatellus – Puerto Rico, including some off-shore islands; introduced elsewhere
- A. c. wileyae – islands east of Puerto Rico and US. and British Virgin Is.
Geographic range
This lizard is native to Puerto Rico (including smaller, associated islands) and the Virgin Islands. It has been introduced to the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Costa Rica, eastern Hispaniola, Dominica, and Florida.[1]
Habitat
These lizards typically spend their time perched on tree trunks, coming to the ground to forage.
Behavior
When looking for a mate or defending its territory, this anole will display its dewlap and perform "push-ups" to establish dominance. Males aggressively defend territories when mating, but only rarely does this result in physical combat. As a defense against predators, they autotomize their tails.
Diet
They mainly eat spiders and small invertebrates, but will occasionally eat fruit on the ground. They will sometimes even eat other anoles, due to territorial reasons, or if food is scarce.
References
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