Photo by Seth Whaland.

Some green anoles sometimes temporarily develop a black spot behind their eyes. We had a great post on why this happens in 2011. Spoiler: it’s a sign of stress.

Photo by Seth Whaland

Reader Seth Whaland has provided interesting observations: In August of this year, I was on the Butler Hike & Bike Trail along Lady Bird Lake in Austin, TX. I was walking along the trail with a new point-and-shoot 35mm camera when I spotted two anoles. I watched them for a while and knew I wouldn’t be able to get close enough with my camera to get a decent photo without disturbing them, so I used my phone. The two lizards circled each other, both extending their dewlaps, doing “push ups” and opening their mouths (biting?) until one of them pushed the other one off of the branch. It happened quickly so I’m not totally clear on what it did to cause the other to fall. I believe it was in a live oak tree.

Jonathan Losos
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