The pug-nosed anole, as it is known, is a pretty weird species. First is its funny-looking face, hence it’s name. Second, it is very unusual among anoles in being relatively large, yet found almost invariably near the ground–most larger anoles are found higher up in the tree. Finally, it’s long legs are ungainly and seemingly awkward. Relatively little is known about its natural history, and there is some indication that in some places, it may have become less common.
Our knowledge of natural history knowledge was expanded ever so slightly by the recent report by Mora et al. in the most recent Herpetological Review of an observation of a male eating a pygmy rain frog (Pristimantis ridens).
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Martha Munoz
It’s interesting that reports suggest it’s becoming less common in some places because I saw a lot more of them at La Selva in 3 days than I did in 3 weeks in 2008! I wonder why it may be declining in some places.
This species has always fascinated me because it is so enigmatic. Also, I’m beginning to wonder if we identified too soon last year on this AA post: https://www.anoleannals.org/2011/02/21/name-that-anole/
I go back to it from time to time and am still not fully convinced that it isn’t A. capito.
Joe Burgess
Here is a shot from CR of an A .capito eating a microteiid (species unknown).
Jonathan Losos
Cool! Is there a story behind this?
Joe Burgess
Yes, a tragic one for the smaller lizard! 🙂
A friend was in the field and saw it happen. This was all she got by the time she dug through her bag to find her camera.