We called the "chameleons" when we were kids, but of course they are not official chameleons.
I've posted Anole related posts so often, I've probably written that intro before ... that's the problem after over 1500 posts ... I do know THESE pics are fresh though!
This little emerald was clinging to the side of a young oak that grows near the doggy cemetary in the back of PFHQ. He's just a youngster.
Up close, these little beauties have a lot goin' on with different shades of color, varying patterns, and textures ranging from beaded scales to smooth claw.
Like Ducks, Labs, and Octopus, anoles have that endearing habit of looking you right in the eye.
We humans are suckers for that trait.
Jurassic Park ... restaurant scene ... background imagery as they eat ice cream ... that's what you were thinking when you saw this pic right dino scifi nerds?
No? ...
... well, I was.
This poor anole got stuck in the sticky backing of a label from a pack of gardening edging stakes. I opened the pack outside on a bench and left the label there for a few days ... oops.
Poor thing.
This is why I hated setting out the triangular gypsy moth sticky traps on Cockspur Island back in my NPS days. We never caught gypsy moths, but the hideously sticky glue inside the traps always had some poor anole in it.
I promise to be more careful about sticky labels.
24 comments:
At the food distribution center that we are adding onto right now, they have these big rat traps all along the exterior walls of the building with sticky pads inside. There is never a rat inside but always have small snakes or anoles. Or, what's left of them really.
That must be pretty sticky stuff. How sad for the little anole. Interesting that it would be dessicated so quickly.
Aw. Poor little guy.
Josh and I went to Florida a few years ago and I was positively charmed by those anoles. I took approximately 90 million pictures of them.
I love the anoles, I was breeding them for a long time, but this summer while we were away for a couple days, the cage was left open after a feeding and out they went. One day I'll get back at it when there is a little more free time.
As kids we used to take them and let them bite our earlobes... then we'd walk around with them dangling like earrings.
Good times.
Unknowingly, I transported an anole 30 miles during my commute ride home. It had tucked itself down near the windshield wiper well. Then it hopped out once I pulled in the driveway. The good news: at least it was within county lines!
I absolutely love lizards - the bright green ones are beautiful, and the little brown ones look like tiny T Rex's. Ever since I moved to Florida in the late 70's, I was fascinated with them and loved to pick them up. They rest their little hands/paws/claws on my thumb and look right at me - when they try to bite, it's cute how they'll hang on. I can't pick them up anymore - not fast enough - although a big one that runs on hind legs with the triangular head got into my work building last year - and I managed to catch him (because he was scared) and let him back outside - but not before admiring him thoroughly in my hand.
Annie,
Sounds sadly familiar! How'd that date go?
Robin,
It's the combo of direct Florida sun and fall low humidity I guess.
Miz S,
And did you ever post anoles?
Dani,
Breeding them in captivity?
You are one fascinating lady. How did it go? Is it easy to do?
Joey,
Been there, done that ... did it to my children too!!
:)
Robert,
Lucky anole!
Suze,
Sounds like we share an appreciation for these charmers. I used to fuss about the exotic browns, but it looks like the greens have adjusted and are living higher in the bushes while the browns prefer the ground area.
What wonder to live where there are lizards. We are just a hair...a couple of hours drive...too far north to ever see any. They are beautiful.
It went great! I would go for a larger cage if your going to do it though. Prices for large screen enclosures can be mighty expensive, so hubs bought window screens from Habitat for Humanity (plastic screening only, not the metal)and made a huge enclosure for me. The only real cost now is food. I still order the bulk 500 crickets ever other week from flukers for my green tree frogs and it runs about $25.oo. Must of that fee is because they ship over night. But I love having my critters, so I think it's worth it.
Great shots! Tough to see them having a hard time surving the brown anole onslaught!
Cheers, Klaus
Dani,
Thanks for the info! Might make a good classroom project for me.
KJP,
Yes it is, but I think they are adapting.
At least I hope so.
You can check my blog for the scoop and my reply to your first question. Sorry it took me so long to get back.
Hey Annie,
Been there, done that and the advice was excellent!
Love these little guys too! Always did a catch and release thing with them growing up and while I have taught my kids the catch and release, my cats seem to like the catch part only. I have found many a carcass of lizards in my living room, apparently the burial ground that my cats have chosen. While I feel badly abt the little guys, I rather they come in than the back racer snakes. The babies aren't so bad, but the day I saw a 3 footer trying to escape the clutches of my cat, I thought I'd have a heart attack!
There were so many little ones in St. Pete this past week- it must be newbie season. I love them, skittering here and there, bobbing up and down. And, you know, we have a special mutation at our little bungalow. On any early Spring day (after Sophie has spent the winter) all ours are tail-less.
I found a couple of the prehistoric variety in the house when I was cleaning up after a few months away.
We will be coming over to the Florida Keys in the next couple of weeks for a 3 week holiday. I'm really looking forward to seeing the little Anoles again... as we had them as "house visitors" last time we stayed. Any other interesting wildlife I should be looking out for at this time of year? I will be making lots of trips to the Everglades as well! Thanks. Jane
heh..wall, I'se happy to look a duck a lab an' an anole in the eye. Doan want no eye contact with an octopus.
He's a beauty --looks like the Geico gecko--but why does we see fewer? Them common old brownish black fella must terrorize these more beautiful versions.
We does have a blue skink/ skenk (sp?) that hangs around the front door area.
A dawg cemetery? Yeah. I like that.
Lynn,
I can picture that 3 foot racer/cat argument. I bet you were a little excited.
Hope the snake made it.
Vicki,
Odd that the tails would go missing when your cat visits.
One of those mysteries of nature.
:)
Aunty,
I think the browns have reduced the greens territory. They certainly seem more prolific.
I have read that the greens are adjusting to a higher habitat in the bushes and trees.
And you really should stare into a cephalopod's eyes while they study you.
It's an odd feeling.
I find those poor dried up little shells around my house and always feel so bad about it...Not sure how they get in, but i wish they'd remember how to get out...It's not that I have a problem with them sharing the house with me, it's just that i hate to see them die like that
Bee,
Me too, but I sometimes find a mummy in the window screen.
I used to play with green anoles all the time when I was little. We also had a "Museum" between the panes and the screen of our living room window. I sure like the green ones better than the brown ones that you see all over now.
Sharon,
Me too!
The 3' snake made it, mostly because my 1 yr old cat didn't know what to do with him! LOL The 1' baby snakes aren't so lucky. He doesn't find them that often, but when he does get one and tries to bring it inside, he knows if he wants to keep it, it has to stay out or I take it away!
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