Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Suborder Iguania Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Polychrotidae | |
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Similar Puerto Rican crested a, Anolis cooki, Anolis stratulus, Anolis laeviventris, Anolis coelestinus | ||
Great egret ardea alba eating a puerto rican crested anole anolis cristatellus in miami fl
The crested anole (Anolis cristatellus) is a species of anole belonging to the Polychrotidae family of reptiles.
Contents
- Great egret ardea alba eating a puerto rican crested anole anolis cristatellus in miami fl
- Subspecies
- Geographic range
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Diet
- References
Subspecies
Geographic range
This lizard is found throughout Puerto Rico, the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, and in Costa Rica and has been introduced into eastern Hispaniola, Dominica, and Florida. Subspecies, Anolis cristatellus wileyae, is found on islands off the eastern coast of Puerto Rico, such as Culebra and Vieques, and also on the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Habitat
These lizards typically spend their time perched on tree trunks, coming to the ground to forage.
Behavior
When looking for a mate or defending its territory, this anole will display its dewlap and perform "push-ups" to establish dominance. Males aggressively defend territories when mating, but only rarely does this result in physical combat. As a defense against predators, they autotomize their tails.
Diet
They mainly eat spiders and small invertebrates, but will occasionally eat fruit on the ground. They will sometimes even eat other anoles, due to territorial reasons, or if food is scarce.