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The other day, I noticed what appeared to be an anole that was slightly larger than our brown anoles. I looked at the size, color, general pattern, and the apparent v-shaped back, that went all the way from the head to the end of its tail.

The color, a very dull light brown or beige, which kind of reminds me of the color of a golden (aka banana) gecko. The body was slightly stockier/larger than our other anoles around here, and I just did not know what it was.

Any way, I googled for information regarding different species, and found pictures of a peurto-rican crested anole, which had whole body shots as well as close ups of the head and eyes, and I'm certain that it was a Peurto-Rican Crested Anole.

I know these are non-native species, but has any one ever seen them this far north? That is, around Bradford county, Florida.

I have read allsorts about different Anole species being introduced into Florida, not this one in particular, but there have been a few recent posts re odd looking anoles in Florida over the last month or so, so it wouldnt surprise me in the slightest. It appears that there are also some unidentified anoles (See below).
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Kel

www.collaredlizards.co.uk
0:0:1 Timor Monitor
2:2 Collared Lizards
1:6 Green Anoles
1:0 Dune Scorpion
3:0 Imperial Scorpions
2:0 Desert Hairy Scorpions
0:1 Mexican Red Knee Tarantula

They (Anolis cristatellus) are fairly common in the Miami area. In fact, there are at least 5 introduced species within a two block area around the Holiday Inn in Coral Gables. The Florida Wildlife Commission has a website with distributions of various introduced species of reptiles, insects, mammals, and plants. It makes interesting reading.

I spotted one again at the same general area, possible the same one. I've seen range maps of this species in Florida, and none of them are this far north. Maybe i'll find one when I have the digital camera ready some time and the range maps can be updated.

Have you ever seen Knight Anoles think called Cuban anoles to. I saw a huge one in my yard last year . I even got fairly close to it than it ran but it was scary so I didnt get closer than 6 feet .

It was huge and I am sure it was chasing a regular anole that ran around the tree few seconds before .

>>They (Anolis cristatellus) are fairly common in the Miami area. In fact, there are at least 5 introduced species within a two block area around the Holiday Inn in Coral Gables. The Florida Wildlife Commission has a website with distributions of various introduced species of reptiles, insects, mammals, and plants. It makes interesting reading.

Maybe, but not as far north as Bradford County. That's way up in north Florida (north of Gainesville and near Lake City) and not really conducive for their survival!
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Peace.

-John

We had a 34 degree drop yesterday. So, I'm curious just how much cold they can take. I'm also curious how it got here. Did it hitch a ride from down south, maybe with some fruit or veggies? or was it born are bred here? Any way, I'll definately keep my eye out for it again on some of the sunnier days we have this winter.

The two times I saw it, it has been around one of my storage sheds. So, it's possible that some of the junk all piled up together is keeping it a little warmer than usual.

Posted by: agalinis at Sun Dec 24 22:47:12 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

>>They (Anolis cristatellus) are fairly common in the Miami area. In fact, there are at least 5 introduced species within a two block area around the Holiday Inn in Coral Gables. The Florida Wildlife Commission has a website with distributions of various introduced species of reptiles, insects, mammals, and plants. It makes interesting reading.

Maybe, but not as far north as Bradford County. That's way up in north Florida (north of Gainesville and near Lake City) and not really conducive for their survival!
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Peace.

-John

I think the list is off maybe its been "cleaned up" they had Ca Kingsnake on it while ago and 2 friends that I know who did some type work for Glades National Park told me not one of the full time workers there had ever seen a wild CA king and they know its not breeding in Florida .
I think some is speculation also some of the geckos listed in the Keys I wonder if they truly are there our wound up on the list because it would make sense for them to be there due to imports by carribean neighbors .
Cuban Anoles I know we have .