Hispaniolan Stout Anole
Anolis cybotes
A stout-bodied anole named for the male's relatively large head. Females have smaller, more proportionate heads. Males have a solid central crest from the back of the hea…
How to identify
A stout-bodied anole named for the male's relatively large head. Females have smaller, more proportionate heads. Males have a solid central crest from the back of the head to the proximal tail, with a cleft at the point of the shoulders. They also have a large whitish dewlap and 2 light longitudinal lines down each side of the body. They often have undefined dark horizontal streaks across their back. Both sexes have a greyish-tan background coloration. Females are subtly patterned with a row of light diamonds down the center of the back. Like most anoles, they can adjust their shades of color to better match their surroundings.
Range
Native to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, but introduced to extreme south Florida, as well as Suriname.
Habitat
A semi-arboreal species that is often found on rocks, trees, shrubs, fences, vines, and piles of green waste. In Florida, it lives in urban environments.
Variations
Patterning varies significantly among individuals. Juveniles have a whitish stripe down the center of the back, with short, thin offshoots of white, creating the appearance of arrows pointed towards the head.
Similar species
Most likely to be misidentified as the crested anole (*Anolis cristatellus*) or brown anole (*Anolis sagrei*).
Name and etymology
Cybotes: Greek for cube (kubos)
More illustrations
Dewlap
At a glance
Range
Native to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, but introduced to extreme south Florida, as well as Suriname.
Habitat
A semi-arboreal species that is often found on rocks, trees, shrubs, fences, vines, and piles of green waste. In Florida, it…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap