Puerto Rican Crested Anole

Taxobox
name = Puerto Rican Crested Anole
status =

---

image_width = 250px
image_caption = "A. c. cristatellus" in Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic; May 2007.
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Reptilia
ordo = Squamata
subordo = Iguania
familia = Polychrotidae
genus = "Anolis"
species = "A. cristatellus"
subspecies = "A. c. cristatellus"
trinomial = "Anolis cristatellus cristatellus"
trinomial_authority = (Duméril and Bibron, 1837)

The Puerto Rican (Puertorican) Crested Anole ("Anolis cristatellus cristatellus") is a species of anole belonging to the Polychrotidae family of reptiles. This lizard is found throughout Puerto Rico and has been introduced into eastern Hispaniola and Miami-Dade County, Florida. One of the Puerto Rican Crested Anole's relatives, the Eastern Puerto Rican Crested Anole ("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.

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 referred incorrectly as "chameleon" 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.

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.

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.

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.

ee also

*List of amphibians and reptiles of Puerto Rico
*List of endemic fauna of Puerto Rico

References

* [http://www.kingsnake.com/westindian/metazoa11.html Kingsnake.com]
* [http://www.caribherp.net CaribHerp.net]