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I Saw Green Anoles in Florida! by Elaine A. Powers, Author

When I am traveling in Florida, I enjoy searching for lizards. For the past several decades, I have only seen the Cuban brown anoles, Anolis sagrei, in the Sunshine State. Unfortunately, the brown anoles are not natives, but were introduced and have become invasive. They occupy the same place or niche in the environment as the related green anoles, but are more aggressive.

A green anole I saw on a recent trip to Florida.

On a trip in July, however, I was pleased to see green anoles, Anolis carolinensis, in two separate locations. Maybe the natives are starting to make a comeback. I hope so–they are a brilliant green color with bright red dewlaps.

I have included anoles in my adventure tales, such as The Dragon of Nani Cave. This is an illustration from the book, in which the green anole has his colorful dewlap extended.

And then there are the Lime Lizard Lads, Curly-tail lizards from Cayman Brac. The Lime Lizard Lads, curly-tail lizards of Cayman Brac, seek an adventure up on the
bluff. Their goal is to reach Nani Cave and meet the dragon that lives there. It doesn’t
take Gene and Bony long to realize how big and dangerous the world is.
Leaving home was easy, but do the lads make it back?

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