Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a large fountain surrounded by plants/trees by our patio, and this little "microcosm" of nature happily has become the home to several green anoles. We have seen one large male and at least three females. We absolutely love to watch them!

At night, we hear sounds from the greenery that is almost like a chirping or chirring sound. Definitely not frogs or crickets, a very different sound. When we investigate, we often find the anoles in the area from which the sound seems to come, of course the sound stops when we approach.

Are we crazy, or could these sounds be the anoles? You guys are the experts, so thought we would ask.

Thanks

Hello Skates:
It would help to know where you live as to what might be making the sounds. Small House Geckos chirp.
Now, as far as Anoles making noise: I have only heard one species make vocalize and I've never read about any others that made noise. That species is Anolis garmani, The Jamaican Giant Anole. I have a couple individuals that will "talk" when you move them from cage to cage. I have heard five different individuals do this. I have worked with around 11-12 species and these are the only ones that vocalized. There are, however, hundreds of anole species so who knows.
I hope this info helps.
Have a Great Day!!!
Spawn

Thanks, Spawn - we live in Northwest Florida, Pensacola. Now that you mention it, we have seen geckos hanging on our garage window screens in the summertime eating the insects that the light inside attracts, and even a couple in the garage, although it was later in the year last year - we haven't seen any yet this year.

That is probably what is chirping then, the anoles are just so much more visible with their basking around the fountain that we thought of them first.

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge!

Hello Skates:
I'm glad I was able to help. I thought it might be geckos calling.
Have a Great Day!!!

I'd never heard that Anolis garmani could make sounds. The only sound-making anole I know is Anolis lucius, a Cuban 'gecko-anole' lives island wide on rock formations. These animals sqeek when you catch them. Ofcourse not all does.

About the callings it probably should be Hemidactylus spp. or other night gecko's.

~Yann

Hello Yann:
I was surprised as well to find out about the vocalization of A. garmani. I'm not sure if small ones vocalize but I did collect one about 6-7" in length that squeeked when I held him. I have a large male that vocalizes when held. I have videotaped while someone held a wild-caught animal and captured the sound. We then released it again. I have collected A. equestris and never heard a sound from them so it's not just a matter of large Anoles vocalizing. I have heard at least 4 separate individuals do this so it is not an isolated incident.
Have a Great Day!!!

Well, I kept "blue anoles" before, and while I could never positively ID them (they were either Anolis roquet, Anolis extremus, or Anolis aneaus (sp?)) and they definitely could squeak when caught. I've never heard of a "wild, free, and unmolested" anole of any species vocalizing from the bushes though.... it seems that any species that squeek only do so when caught, as either a predator deterrent, or a "protest".

In fact, I had wondered if the sound I heard them make when I caught them was a true vocalization or just "escaping air" lol.

I've never read anything about anole vocalizations - is anyone aware of it being mentioned in the literature?

I have a pair of Anolis garmani, they are kind of flighty, so I don't want to stress them, but I hope I get to hear them "call".

Anyways, I'm glad you asked the question, because I always wondered myself.

Lisa

Hello Lisa:
All of the garmani that vocalized did so while being handled. But it was a vocal sound not a hiss. The sound is very similar to the sounds geckos make. Now I plan on spending some time observing wild animals to see if they make any sounds during courtship or mating. My guess is they probably do not or it would have been reported. I'm surprised others haven't noted the vocal sounds of this species.
I must add that no other species I've worked with (including A. equestris) ever uttered a sound.
Have A Great Day!!!