Within the framework of my PhD, I examine what determines dewlap diversity in Anolis sagrei and aim to improve understanding of the morphological, performance and behavioural variation within this species on diverse Caribbean islands. Last month I was sampling a few brown anole populations on the Cayman Islands and I encountered some interesting curly tail – brown anole interactions, which might be worth mentioning on Anole Annals. Previous observations have shown that curly tails (Leiocephalus carinatus) do eat a lot of anoles, including A. sagrei; see previous posts (<1>, <2>, <3>, <4>)
Curly-tailed together with plasticine anole model on Cayman Brac
Our sample site at Cayman Brac consisted of a very dense brown anole and curly-tailed population living together. To make an estimation of the relative predation pressure, I generally place 120 plasticine anole models per sampling site and recollect them after 48 hours to score for predation marks. Because of the high abundance of curly tails on our site in Cayman Brac, I expected to recollect many attacked plasticine models, but instead… (see pictures). The curly-tailed does not intend to attack the model, but is trying to copulate with it! A rather unexpected observation from my point of view. Of course, the models are not moving and the chemical cues are completely absent, but still… Furthermore, I made lots of behavioural observations on A. sagrei individuals and had the impression that they didn’t care at all about the presence of curly tails close by. The brown anoles were often perching within less than 1.5m of a curly-tailed and still very relaxed; and vice versa, the curly tails didn’t really care about the brown anoles sitting near. In contrast, when a red-legged thrush (Turdus plumbeus) was approaching, all anoles in the close surroundings escaped very fast.
Conclusion: it seems that curly tails on Cayman Brac ‘love’ their prey…
Pat Shipman
I haven’t seen curly-tails “loving” sagrei but I have observed that they often inhabit the same areas here on Little Cayman and sagrei don’t seem worried about them.
I wonder if the distinctive smell of plasticine mimics curly-tail pheromones.
Katie Boronow
I’ve also observed lizards interacting with my clay models. While collecting the models, I came across an A. armouri apparently basking on one of them! This was at high elevation, so I wondered if the clay could be warmer than the rock…
Rich Glor
Great photos. So many of these clay model studies lack any actual observations of why their models are marked up.
Tess Driessens
Interesting comment about the plasticine smell mimicking curly-tail pheromones. However, I observed some A. sagrei displaying to the plasticine models, mostly males showing territorial behaviour. I doubt they would show display behaviour while confronted with curly-tail pheromones…
I never saw an anole basking on the plasticine models (great picture, Katie). Though, I presume that the heat capacity of rocks is higher compared to that of plasticine models; but I’m of course not an expert in this kind of material…
Thanks for your interesting comments on my post!
Wild Wally
In Cocoa Beach, just 6 months ago Florida Anoles were everywhere, now ALL I see are Curly Tails, I call them Super Lizards. I guess they are probably eating the Anoles or maybe just displacing them (?)
Chris m
I know this is a few years late, but I live in an area were both brown anoles and curly tailed are considered invasive. My brother caught a curly and chose to keep it. So, since I had to take care of this lizard and they are hard to catch without a net, I caught an anole for a companion. They have been cohabitating the same 20 gal tank with no issue. Often seen basking together. I believe both to be female which may be why, but I saw this article and thought this may be something you would interested in.