Oriente Knight Anole
Scientific Name
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Order
Range
Habitat
Estimated Wild Population
More Information
Physical Description
Oriente knight anoles are among the largest of the nearly 400 anole species. Adults can grow up to seven and a half inches long and weigh about two ounces. Their body is covered with small green scales, including vertical dorsal scales, and they have pale blotches along their mouth. Like most anoles, males have a flap of loose skin, called a dewlap, that can extend and retract from their neck—theirs is orange or pink. Wild anoles typically eat spiders and insects, and breed once a year during the summer.
Interesting Fact 1
Oriente knight anoles, preferring to hide in dense foilage and forest canopies, are rarely seen in the wild by humans.
Interesting Fact 2
During courtship and defensive displays, males turn sideways and extend their dewlap repeatedly.
Interesting Fact 3
They were named after their native range in Oriente, the southeastern region of Cuba.
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