Bark Anole

Range

The bark anole comes from many parts of Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic. This is why it has earned the name Hispaniolan gracile anole. In the USA, it was introduced to South Florida and subsequently recorded for the first time in 1946.

Habitats

As the name implies, the bark anole spends most of its time on tree trunks. In cold weather, anoles can be found under barks, in rotted out logs or man-made contraptions like shingles. This species of anole are oviparous and in the warm months, females lay eggs in rotten wood and moist soil. The eggs hatch in about 30 – 70 days.

Identification

Colors in the anole vary widely because there are so many subspecies. Its body colors can range from the gray-brown similar to tree barks to green. The dewlaps are brightly colored and vary from bright tints of yellow to red or orange. Sometimes, dewlaps can even be white. Bark anoles are relatively small – averagely 5.0 in. in length.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians