Jamaica anole
| Jamaica anole | ||||||||||||
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Jamaican anole ( Norops garmani ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Norops Garmani | ||||||||||||
| ( Stejneger , 1899) |
The Jamaica anole ( Norops garmani , syn .: Anolis garmani ) belongs within the suborder of the iguanas ( Iguania ) to the genus of the beta anole ( Norops ).
description
Males reach a total length of up to 35 cm, females around 25 cm. The tail length is around 2/3 of the total length. The animals are characterized by a beautiful emerald green basic color. Several yellowish to brown horizontal stripes can be seen on the flanks. The back has a scalloped crest that continues to the end of the tail. This crest is less pronounced in females. At night and during periods of rest, the color changes to brown. The rather massive head is only slightly separated from the body and ends in a pointed snout . The body is slim overall. Yellowish dark circles can be seen around the eyes . The Jamaican anole has very well-trained eyes which it (like chameleons ) can move independently of one another. The ear openings are far back on the head. Her thin legs end in five fingers with strong claws .
Males are characterized by a large dewlap , which is yellowish in color and the display pattern is used and towards conspecifics and predators as Drohgebärde can be understood. In addition to their size , males can also be easily recognized by the enlarged postanal scales. Males are very territorial and vigorously defend their territory . This tree-living species is not yet an endangered species. They reach an age of around 10 years.
distribution
The original distribution area of the Jamaica anole extends over the Caribbean island of Jamaica . There they inhabit the treetops of the mountain forest up to heights of around 1,500 meters. This species is now also native to Florida . They are very territorial and defend their territory against intruders. Threatening gestures are the straightening of the forelegs and the inflation of the dewlap. If an intruder cannot be driven away, a fight ensues that often ends fatally for the loser. The female only leaves the treetops to lay eggs.
food
The animals mainly feed on insects and their larvae . Here and there they improve their diet with ripe fruits .
Reproduction
The Jamaican anole reaches sexual maturity at around 10 to 12 months . The reproduction is of no fixed season bound. During courtship , the male tries to impress his chosen one by nodding his head and inflating his throat dewlap. The female lays two eggs in troughs on the forest floor every three to four weeks . The hollows are carefully covered after the eggs are laid. The eggs have an average size of 1.2 cm. After about 50 to 60 days, the young hatch, which are about 8 cm long at birth. Immediately after hatching, they molt for the first time.