The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is the only native anole in Florida and the United States. It is found in the southeastern United States.
Anole is pronounced uh-nole, an-ole, or uh-nol-a.
Green anoles in Florida are not as common as they once were because a similar looking, non-native lizard, called the Cuban brown anole is taking over its habitat. Many people confuse the non-native Cuban brown anole with the green anole, but there are many differences between the two.
Green anoles appear similar to Cuban brown anoles but can change color from green to brown, do not have dorsal ridges, do not have splotchy or patterned colorations, do not have orange dewlaps, are not as wary of humans and pets, and do not reproduce at the high rate of Cuban brown anoles.
The green anole is a slender, graceful, lizard that moves with a dignified confidence scanning the landscape with its large watchful eyes. Green anoles ruled their Florida habitat virtually undeterred until the 1970’s when the Cuban brown anole began to invade their Florida habitat in a much broader range than just Miami and the Florida Keys.