Puerto Rican Crested Anole
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| Puerto Rican Crested Anole | |
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| A. c. cristatellus in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic; May 2007. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Iguania |
| Family: | Polychrotidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: | A. cristatellus |
| Subspecies: | A. c. cristatellus |
| Trinomial name | |
| Anolis cristatellus cristatellus Duméril and Bibron, 1837 |
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The Puerto Rican crested anole (Anolis cristatellus cristatellus) is the nominate subspecies of a species of anole belonging to the Polychrotidae family of reptiles.
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[edit] Geographic range
This lizard is found throughout Puerto Rico and has been introduced into eastern Hispaniola, Dominica, and Florida. Another subspecies, Anolis cristatellus wileyae, is found on islands off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, such as Culebra and Vieques, and also on the U.S. Virgin Islands.
[edit] Habitat
These normally stay in trees for protective matters. If a predator approaches, the male extends his dewlap and runs away. Some live under the sand, but not many.
[edit] Description
Coloration may vary significantly from a brownish-red color to a dark black or to a very light gray, and colors shift in reaction to temperature and behavioral state. They are often incorrectly referred to as "chameleons" because of their ability to slightly change color, but they are not related to true chameleons. They have a crest along the tail, probably serving to demonstrate dominance in a contest against another male for a female. The males have a bright yellow-orange dewlap which is also used in determining dominance when attempting to control territory. They usually are from 5-8 inches in length but occasionally will grow up to 10 inches.
[edit] Behavior
When they are looking for a mate or defending their territory, they will display their dewlap and perform "pushups" to establish their dominance. Males aggressively defend territories when mating, but only rarely does this result in physical combat. As a defense against predators, they autotomize their tails.
[edit] Distribution
The Puerto Rican Crested Anole is found throughout Puerto Rico except for some of the mountain regions of the island. They are also found on some of the offshore islands of Puerto Rico. They have been introduced into southern Florida and eastern Dominican Republic. They are sold in the pet trade, but are hard to find.
[edit] Diet
They mainly eat spiders and small invertebrates, but will eat a fruit that is lying on the ground every once in a while. They will sometimes even eat other anoles, due to territorial reasons, or if there isn't a lot to eat.
[edit] See also
- List of amphibians and reptiles of Puerto Rico
- List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico
- List of Anolis lizards
