John Rahn regaled us with tales of the Big Kahuna, his big backyard sagrei (a must read, if you don’t recall it). Here’s some more. First, he’s seen BK stand like this for quite a while. I have also seen anoles do the same. I wonder what’s up. Maybe they’re into yoga? A new pose–Sideways Lizard?
And here’s another photo. John writes: “I’ve noticed that when they catch/eat something, they rub their faces(?), or their catch on the concrete, like he’s doing here. What’s that all about?” Indeed, what is that all about? I’ve seen it, too. Are they using the ground as their own personal napkin? But then why do it to prey items, too? Thoughts?
Editor’s note: check out this video, referred to in the comment below by reader Beachton
[vimeo https://vimeo.com/1986146]
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Beachton
I’ve got a video of an anole rubbing a katydid on a post like that.
I thought it was to move the legs and wings so he could swallow it. But in a close up picture I saw a cut on his mouth, so maybe he was just scratching?
I think in that first picture he’s trying to air out his nether regions. Isn’t that usually why they lift a foot? To regulate temperature?
John Rahn
That’s what I thought too, when I first him doing it: “Airing that stuff out.”
It was particularly hot that day. He’d also just finished with a … uhhh … “female conquest”. He was quite the Johnny Appleseed(?), my Big Kahuna.
Allison DeVan
The behavior of rubbing the mouth on the ground while feeding is definitely to help anoles swallow their prey. All of my A. carolinensis perform this “move”, especially when having a large and unwieldy dinner.
John Rahn
Here is another of him, doing the same thing. I believe this was a different day.
joy
Observng and photographing anoles this past year has been quite intriquing and has become a hobby of mine. I have taken around 54 photos of anoles that have blessed my outdoor home area, and have enjoyed your photos and comments that I found on the net tonight, as I search for a site for anoles lovers that communicate and share. Any info would be appreciated. Wishing you the best..Joy
Renee
I have a green anole that appears on my office window every day, throughout the day. He walks back and forth and up and down scratching at the window. Its a fixed window so I can’t open it. It almost seems like he may have been a pet because he seems to want to get inside. Is this normal behavior and he doesn’t really want to get in??