Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just got back from a several days' trip to Miami looking for assorted herps. Within two blocks of our hotel in Coral Gables, we ran across five introduced species. There was a very high population density of A. distichus, A. porcatus, A. sagrei, A. cristatellus, and A. equestris. A bit farther from the hotel we ran into a colony of A. garmani. There were also distributions of each species scattered throughout the area as well. Strangely enough, they were so habituated to the presence of people that they were relatively easy to catch by hand. We managed to catch (and release) several of each species to photograph and check on their physical condition. All were in fine shape -- fat and healthy and most of the females that we saw were gravid. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time to check the Ft Myers area for A. extremus, A. chlorocyanus, and A. cybotes. It was a very successful trip and I even managed to find a species of millipede that had not been reported as being in the U.S. __ I did bring several specimens of that back!

Hey!
I am not familiar with all of the scientific names that you stated but I lived in miami for a long time so I am interested in your message. Could you post the pics so that I can relate?

A. distichus = Bark Anole. A. porcatus = Cuban Green Anole(a bit bigger than A. carolinensis). A. sagrei = Cuban Brown Anole. A. equistris = Knight Anole. A. cristatellis = Crested Anole. Pictures will follow as soon as our "safari photographer" sends them to me (which shopuld be shortly).

Almost forgot A. garmani = Jamacan Giant Anole.

Those are the best ones of all the Anoles....

I thought the brown anoles in miami were Bahama Browns (A.sagrei orndinatus). Is there a isolated of Cuban Browns (A.s.sagrei) in Miami.

What are the laws protecting these alien species?

To the best of my knowledge, the predominant species is A. sagrei sagrei. As far as I can tell, there are now Florida laws protecting feral (i.e., introduced) species. At least there is nothing on their Game and Wildlife website protecting anything except native species.

Wow, at the first petstore I worked at we called them Bahama Browns and sold them as ordinatus. They were wild caught from Florida. I hate to think I've been miss-identifying this species for 12 years.

Can you lead me to a website that has the natural history introduced anoles?

Here's one from Florida that should give you all the information you need:

http://wld.fwc.state.fl.us/critters/exotics/exotics.asp

Awesome, thanks. So they are mostly integrades.

I like the picture of the chlorocyanus, nice dark patch on the dewlap. Mine are just aqua blue (still pretty).

They are not intergrades, they are distinct species. Anolis carolinensis has been extirpated from Dade County and most of South Florida by the introduced species.