Photo from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/female-green-anole-mating-behavior–73183562679637586/
Long time AA stalwart Pat Shipman writes:
Just a random observation of anoles in my North Carolina. I believe all to be A. carolinensis as might be expected. For the first time since I moved here, I came upon two individuals mating. They had turned chocolate brown instead of their usual leaf green. I didn’t disturb them & couldn’t get to my camera fast enough to take a photo. If this color change unusual? It is tempting to think they were so pleased at having sex that they changed color.
Professor of Biology and Director of the Living Earth Collaborative at Washington University in Saint Louis. I've spent my entire professional career studying anoles and have discovered that the more I learn about anoles, the more I realize I don't know.
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Cortney Porro
I live in South Carolina just over the border and South of Charlotte and my backyard is filled with anoles. It is amazing! I have also seen at least 3 or 4 little anoles running around recently too so they are successfully procreating. They are obviously thriving in my garden I’ve created in my backyard bc I moved into a house where they wiped out all the trees and everything to build the lots and neighborhood. But I’m so happy to see with the help of adding lots of native plants and flowers I’ve drawn more anoles to the yard.
Any advice or suggestions to help them thrive?
I was sad to see they only live around 3 years in the wild. I also grew up with having anoles as pets and other reptiles.