Brown anole
| Brown anole | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Norops petersii | ||||||||||||
| ( Bocourt , 1873) |
The brown anolis ( Norops petersii , Syn . : Anolis petersii ) is a species from the group of iguana-like lizards. The differentiation from the more well-known Bahama anole is difficult, but not impossible. It is not clear whether the anole species introduced into Europe are descended from Norops petersi or Norops sagrei .
description
The brown anole is only slightly smaller in comparison to the Bahama anole and thus resembles the red throat anole in terms of body structure . With a body length of up to 22 cm (males) or 14 cm (females), the brown anole is also one of the medium-sized anole species .
In terms of color, the basic shade of the brown anole is similar to the closely related Bahama anole , but both have different pattern and color features, particularly pronounced in young animals. The yellow stripe on the back of the brown anole is much wider and more intense, but is also criss-crossed with a straight, narrow, white stripe. In general, the brown anole is also more red-brown or rust-brown and has no hyperxanthic (symmetrical in the cross) black markings. Adult males lose the distinctive stripe on the middle of the back, but instead these run in pairs, depending on the state of mind, more or less visible on the side flanks of the body. Yellow spots appear in different numbers. This also applies to the females, which do not change their original drawing and thus the back stripe as much. But the males - like most anole species - have a more pronounced throat pouch than the females, which in this species is more orange or even yellow.
distribution
Their distribution area extends in Central America from Mexico to Texas and partly to the Caribbean . Unlike their Caribbean relatives, they have specialized in drier regions. They live near the ground or between leaves, tree roots and branches.
nutrition
In the wild they catch spiders, moths and beetles. Fluid intake is usually limited to the morning and mid-morning hours, as in most dry areas only the dew from the leaves is the source. This behavior is not necessary in the more humid regions, where daily rain determines the rhythm of life.
Terrarium keeping
In the wild, they can live to be 5 to 7 years old, but with good care, they can be expected to be similar in age in captivity.