Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) - female

Xcaret - Mayan Riviera
Carretera Chetúmal-Puerto Juárez Kilómetro 282, Solidaridad, 77710 Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, México
17 Mayo 2014

Original to Cuba and the Bahamas, the Brown Anole was introduced to the United States beginning in the 1880s in Florida and since then it adapted successfully and today is said to be found in parts of Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, and Hawaii. There are six known subspecies. In the United States it is considered an introduced species. It's likely the same holds for Mexico, where we observed this female Brown Anole ranging freely at Xcaret in May 2014. Brown Anole has also been introduced to Jamaica.

Here's a brief quote from the source cited for this species: "The brown anole Anolis sagrei is small, semi-arboreal ("trunk-ground") lizard with relatively long toes and reduced toe pad surfaces (relative to congeners), well suited for running and jumping (Williams 1983, Campbell 2002). Color is variable, ranging from light gray to brown to almost black, commonly with irregular patches or mottled patterns, spots, chevrons and a series of light-colored lines. The tail is somewhat laterally compressed. A prominent identifying feature of this species is the extensible dewlap or throat fan which can be yellow to red-orange in color and is used in territorial and mating displays. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced with males reaching a larger terminal size and weight (see below). The dewlap of males is also usually larger than that of the females. Female brown anoles often exhibit a dorsal line that can appear as a light-colored wave, zig-zag or diamond pattern that males typically lack. Mature males also exhibit a pronounced crest-like ridge running down the back (Williams 1983, Campbell 2002)."

Source: "Anolis sagrei (Brown Anole)," Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, photograph, description, accessed 2.26.16, http://www.sms.si.edu/irlspec/Anolis_sagrei.htm