Are Crazy Ants Imperiling Green Anoles?

Writing in response to an AA post on declining green anole populations, AA reader Ann V. suggests that crazy ants are the cause:

“Here in Bryan, Tx I have noticed a severe decline in anoles in my normally anole-filled yard. I saw them earlier in the summer (in May), but they have all but disappeared now (and I have been actively searching for them). My yard receives a lot of water and even during past droughts, I still had plenty of anoles. I have also noticed two other things. My fire ants are disappearing, but I do now see the raspberry “crazy ants.” I was wondering if the appearance of the highly invasive crazy ants might be a reason why my anoles are gone? (I know they do affect  number of fire ants).  Has anyone else noticed this correlation?”

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Jonathan Losos

Professor of Biology and Director of the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in Saint Louis. I've spent my entire professional career studying anoles and have discovered that the more I learn about anoles, the more I realize I don't know.

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