Photo by djhiker, iNaturalist
Congratulations on the 46th President to all the Americans! Its only day 2 so he still’s brand new, but that doesn’t mean the work is done!
Speaking of work, I’ve been thinking about this anole (previously seen here) since Anolis bartschi.
Anolis lucius, or the Slender Cliff anole, is another endemic Cuban anole. It can be found close to urban areas and in similar karstic habitats to the Western Cliff anole. They also can be found inside caves where they also lay their eggs, sticking them to the walls (Hardy, 1957). They have a cyclical reproductive cycle, mating and laying their eggs in the wet season, after egg production occurs in the dry season.
Photo by Alex Alfil, iNaturalist
Slender Cliff anoles have a really pretty design with almost circular striping at the top of their heads and striping down their sides. They have a translucent lower eyelid, the purpose of which is unknown. Possibly to help filter out light when they initially emerge from the caves? Is anyone studying these anoles right now? Can you email me? For science??
Photo by Shea Lambert
In the meantime, here’s a paper about winter aggregation. Socially distant huddles! Cute!