Photo by Jorge Velez-Juarbe, iNaturalist

Happy Anole Day!

Here’s another crown-giant anole, Anolis cuvieri, the Puerto Rican Giant anole.


Photo

The Puerto Rican Giant anole is, as the name suggests, native to Puerto Rico. These anoles typically have an SVL of 132 mm, and both sexes have large tail crests. While these bright green anoles can turn darken and turn brown, this species also has a rare brown morph! Juvenile cuvieri are grey-brown with striping and shift to their signature green when they mature.


Photo by Graham Reynolds

They eat insects, mainly beetles, moths and butterflies, and also occasionally fruit, snails, birds and of course, other anoles.


Photo by sas103, iNaturalist

Puerto Rican Giant anoles prefer rainforest and can be found where there are lots of large trees together.

Chelsea Connor
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