Anole Lizard

The small lizards that adorn every corner of Panama. With their color-changing ability, extendable dewlap, and acrobatics between leaves, anoles are the most everyday and fascinating reptiles in the country.

Anoles (genus Anolis) are the most common and diverse lizards in Panama, with over 30 species recorded in the country. Small and slender (5-15 cm), they are found in virtually all habitats: urban gardens, forests, mangroves, and rural areas. They are famous for their extendable dewlap (gular fan), which males display in bright colors to court females and defend territory. They can also change color between green and brown for camouflage. They are diurnal insectivores, exceptional climbers thanks to adhesive lamellae on their feet. Panama hosts endemic species such as Anolis apletophallus.

Habitat

Gardens, forests, urban and rural areas throughout Panama