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212 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 CAMPOSANO ET AL.

Knight Anoles (Anolis equestris; UF 151376) mating on 1 July 2007 in Bonita Springs, Lee County, Florida. 

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Florida is home to a diverse array of amphibian and reptilian
species, many of which have been introduced by humans

from their native or other donor regions. The Florida herpeto-
fauna currently contains at least 52 recognized species of lizards,
36 (69%) of which are nonindigenous (Krysko et al. 2006,
Smith and Krysko 2007). Sixteen (30%) of the total lizard
species are classified in the Superfamily Iguania (sensu Frost et al.
2001), and only one of the nine Anolis (Family Polychrotidae),
the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis Voigt 1832), is native to
Florida.

The nonindigenous Knight Anole, Anolis equestris Merrem
1820, is the largest and most ornate established representative of
the genus Anolis in Florida. In its native Cuban range, where it
is known as a “chipojo,” this species can measure up to 179 mm
snout-vent length (SVL) in males and 167 mm SVL in females
(Schwartz and Ogren 1956, Garrido and Schwartz 1972,
Schettino 1999). In its introduced range in Miami-Dade
County, Florida, males typically are 100–190 mm SVL and
females 90–160 mm SVL, with individual masses of 16–84 g
(Dalrymple 1980). Anolis equestris has large, flat and smooth,
non-imbricate (i.e., non-overlapping) dorsal scales that are sep-
arated by small, granular interstitial scales; small, circular and
smooth ventral scales; digits with widened, smooth subdigital
lamellae; a pinkish-white dewlap present in both genders; and a
large head with distinct canthal and frontal ridges (especially in
adults). Both juveniles and adults are bright green, with yellow
stripes below the eyes and others extending onto the shoulder.
These lizards are capable of metachromatic color change (pers.
obs., Schwartz and Garrido 1972, Schwartz and Henderson
1991, Schettino 1999). However, hatchlings and juveniles have
cream-colored transverse bands along the body. Because of its
green body coloration and large size, A. equestris is occasionally
mistaken for the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana Linnaeus 1758)

The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) 
in Florida

Brian J. Camposano1, Kenneth L. Krysko1, Kevin M. Enge2, Ellen M. Donlan3, and Michael Granatosky1

1Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, USA 
(biscuit1@ufl.edu, kenneyk@flmnh.ufl.edu, and mgranato@ufl.edu)

2Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1105 SW Williston Road, Gainesville, Florida 32601, USA 
(kevin.enge@myfwc.com)

3Vegetation Management, South Florida Water Management District, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406, USA 
(edonlan@sfwmd.gov)

Abstract.—In this paper, we discuss the likely modes of introduction of the Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) into and around Florida, pro-
vide data on its current geographic distribution, and summarize life history data in both its native and introduced Florida range. Our
field data consist of collections made from 1992 through 2008 and locality data taken from the literature and systematic collections
throughout the United States. Anolis equestris was first introduced in Miami-Dade County in 1952. The subsequent spread of this species
in Florida has been both natural and assisted by human translocations to 10 additional counties, including Brevard, Broward, Collier,
Highlands, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, Polk, and St. Lucie. Because this species is nonindigenous and known to consume a wide
variety of items, including small vertebrates, it should be removed when encountered in the wild. A comprehensive study detailing its
effects on the environment is needed.

IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 213KNIGHT ANOLE IN FLORIDA

�

The nonindigenous Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) is the largest and
most ornate established Anolis in Florida. This specimen (UF 137459)
is from Allapattah Flats, St. Lucie County, Florida. 

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(see Meshaka et al. 2004), and people in Miami often refer to
them as “iguanas” or “iguanitos” (Bartlett and Bartlett 1999).
Since the species’ introduction into Florida during the 1950s, A.
equestris has been confined mostly to southern peninsular
Florida. Herein, we discuss likely modes of introduction of this
species into and around Florida, provide data on its current geo-
graphic distribution, and summarize life history data in both its
native Cuban and introduced Florida range.

Materials and Methods
In order to determine the current geographic distribution of
Anolis equestris in Florida, we made field collections from 1992

through 2008. Specimens were collected opportunistically by
hand, with nooses (Strong et al. 1993), blowguns shooting
tapered corks (Krysko et al., in press), and fishing rods using
invertebrates (mainly dead insects found on the radiators of
vehicles, and live domestic crickets) for bait (Krysko 2000).
Nooses were made out of dental floss loops tied onto the ends
of poles and extended upwards to reach lizards that were high in
the tree canopy or on tall structures. When nooses were ineffec-
tive, we used a fishing rod to cast a food item as close as possi-
ble to a lizard. Lizards typically moved quickly from high on
perches or within dense vegetation to eat the bait, and were then
easily reeled in and collected. Specimens were deposited in the

214 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 CAMPOSANO ET AL.

Anolis equestris (UF 131449) from Port Mayaca, Martin County, Florida, illustrating the large head with distinct canthal and frontal ridges, pink-
ish-white dewlap, and yellow stripes below the eye and extending onto the shoulder. 

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Juvenile Anolis equestris (UF 131530) from Port Mayaca, Martin
County, Florida, found sleeping on low vegetation.

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Neonate Anolis equestris from Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida,
hatched in captivity from an egg found at the bottom of a collecting bag. 

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 215KNIGHT ANOLE IN FLORIDA

Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH), University of
Florida (UF collection). We also obtained locality data from the
literature, systematic collections throughout the United States,
photographs sent to us for identification purposes, and personal
communications from reliable sources. Source acronyms for col-
lections follow Leviton et al. (1985), with the addition of
Everglades National Park (EVER), from which the entire collec-
tion is now accessioned into the UF collection (Appendix). All
records with locality data were plotted using ArcGIS ver. 9.3
(ESRI).

Results and Discussion
Native Distribution and Natural History.—Anolis equestris is
native to Cuba and is common throughout much of its natural
range (Schettino 1999, Schwartz and Henderson 1991). It
occurs at elevations from 0–1,000 m above sea level in many
types of mesophilic and occasionally xerophilic habitats, includ-
ing forests and mangroves, caves, savannas, cultivated areas, and
groves or gardens in urban areas (Schwartz and Ogren 1956,
Schettino 1999). Anolis equestris is a member of the crown-giant
ecotype, which is associated with living high in the canopy of

large trees (diameter at breast height [DBH] > 30 cm), includ-
ing mangoes and palms (Williams 1969, 1972; Schwartz and
Henderson 1991; Butterfield et al. 1997).

As an arboricolous (tree-dwelling) species, Anolis equestris
perches on trunks and high branches of trees (sometimes > 10
m high), spending the greater part of its time in the crown
(Collette 1961, Ruibal 1964, Schettino 1999). During the
warmest part of the day, A. equestris will descend the trunks of
trees in an apparent thermoregulatory behavior to avoid exces-
sive sunlight (Schettino 1999). When startled, this species will
“squirrel” (move to the opposite side of the tree trunk) and
quickly ascend to the canopy (Schettino 1999). Anolis equestris
is an aggressive species that will attempt to bite an attacker when
disturbed, opening its mouth and extending its dewlap in a
defensive posture (Schettino 1999). It also is capable of inflict-
ing a painful but harmless bite, and will defend its territory by
extending its pinkish dewlap and bobbing its head (Schettino
1999, Schwartz and Henderson 1991).

Little information is known on the reproductive cycle of
Anolis equestris in its native range. Males typically establish ter-
ritories high in the canopies of trees, with territorial battles
between males occurring frequently. Large groups are uncom-
mon, except in large groves of trees that may support many indi-
viduals (Schettino 1999). Courtship and mating generally take
place high in the tree canopy, and ovipositioning occurs in bur-
rows excavated by females in the ground or in pre-existing tree
cavities (Schettino 1999).

Anolis equestris is an omnivorous, opportunistic species that
feeds on a wide range of items, including large amounts of fruit
and seeds, insects (especially moths, butterflies, and their larvae,
beetles, crickets and grasshoppers, and ants, bees, and wasps),
and small vertebrates such as frogs, lizards (including its own
species), and small birds (Schettino 1999, Schwartz and
Henderson 1991). Although Anolis equestris is a sit-and-wait
predator and is generally territorial, adults are known to move
across phone lines or use open ground to move from tree to tree
(Schettino 1999, Schwartz and Henderson 1991). Small verte-
brates usually are captured and firmly bitten before consumption
(Schettino 1999). The dentition of this species includes small,

Dead dragonflies (Odonata) found on the radiators of vehicles and used
to collect Anolis equestris. 

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Anolis equestris from Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, perched
high above the ground on vegetation. 

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Anolis equestris (UF 144334) perched on palm tree in Lake Worth,
Palm Beach County, Florida. 

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conical, blunt teeth that do not secrete any toxins or venom
(Schwartz and Henderson 1991, Schettino 1999). Its relatively
large size, appearance, and biting habits are the basis of the false
belief that its bite causes fever in humans (Schettino 1999). Small
juveniles and subadults are susceptible to predation by birds or
even other lizards, which suggests why these size classes are found
on low shrubs during both the day and night. Individuals living
higher in tree crowns are most easily captured by Sparrow Hawks
(Falco sparverius), effective canopy predators that often “special-
ize” in lizards in the West Indies (Schettino 1999).

Florida Distribution and Modes of Introductions.—We compiled
216 vouchered records of Anolis equestris from Florida collected
between April 1957 and September 2007 (Appendix), 60 of
which were collected during our field surveys. We documented
A. equestris in 11 Florida counties: Brevard, Broward, Collier,
Highlands, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach,
Polk, and St. Lucie.

Neill (1957) first reported the introduction of Anolis
equestris from an unspecified locality in “southern Florida”; how-
ever, King and Krakauer (1966) stated that the original intro-
duction occurred in 1952 at the University of Miami’s old
North Campus in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, by a stu-
dent in their Department of Biology. The original population
was centered in a 20-city-block area in Coral Gables, from Coral
Way south to Bird and LeJuene roads west to Segovia Avenue,
in the middle of which were the main buildings of the
University of Miami’s old North Campus (F.W. King, pers.
comm.; King and Krakauer 1966). Although the old North

Campus site is now occupied by University Park, the Ficus trees
along Segovia Street (north side of campus) north of Anastasia
Avenue were loaded with A. equestris in the 1960s (F.W. King,
pers. comm.). The first known voucher specimen (LACM
61680) was collected in Coral Gables on 5 April 1957 by D.R.
Paulson, supporting King and Krakauer’s (1966) hypothesis.

216 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 CAMPOSANO ET AL.

Geographic distribution of the Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) in
Florida. The star represents the first known voucher specimen (LACM
61680) collected in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County, on 5 April
1957. Circles with solid dots represent records consisting of voucher
specimens and photographs (N = 218). Open circles represent unver-
ified observations (N = 3; see text) in the previously undocumented
counties of Orange and Volusia.

Anolis equestris (UF 137039) from Naples, Collier County, Florida, illustrating its small, conical, blunt teeth. Despite the belief that a bite causes
fever in humans, its teeth do not secrete toxins or venom. 

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 217KNIGHT ANOLE IN FLORIDA

The subsequent spread of this species in Florida has been
both natural and assisted by human translocations (Lever 2003).
In 1972, Anolis equestris was reported from Elliott Key (Brown
1972) and the Miami Seaquarium on Virginia Key, Miami-
Dade County (Dalrymple 1980). Crowder (1974) reported that
A. equestris was secondarily transferred by reptile hobbyists to
other areas of Miami-Dade County, including Coral Gables
(Fairchild Tropical Gardens; see also Dalrymple 1980), Coconut
Grove, Sunset Park, and Peters. Brach (1976) reported that A.
equestris was further expanding its range by human-assisted
means in suburban southern Florida, and Wilson and Porras
(1983) reported that A. equestris was becoming widespread in
Miami-Dade County. In the early 1990s, a single collector
caught 50–115 A. equestris per day in Miami, especially on Black
Olive Trees (Bucida buceras) in swales, and sold them in the pet
trade (R. St. Pierre, pers. comm.). In 1996–1998, A. equestris
was recorded at 4013 Douglas Road, Kampong National
Tropical Garden (Meshaka 1999b), as well as 5530 SW 72nd
Street, Doc Thomas House (Meshaka 1999c). Butterfield et al.
(1997) reported an observation of A. equestris on Parachute Key
in Everglades National Park. Our Miami-Dade County vouch-
ers indicate that A. equestris has expanded its range throughout
the county, especially in heavily planted suburbs. These locality
records include Perrine (1959); Coral Gables (1960–68, 1970,
1973–74, 1976–77, 1987–88, 1994, 1996); South Miami
(1964, 1975); Miami (1965, 1986); US 1 & SW 126th Street,
Miami Serpentarium (1970); 8500 SW 87th Terrace (1984);
SW 57th Avenue along Snapper Creek Canal (1991, 1996,
2001); SW 173rd Street & Old Cutler Road (1996); 7711
Camino Real (1996); SW 88th Street & SW 80th Avenue
(1996); SR 997 & SW 304th Street, Homestead (1997); SR
997 & NE 16th Street, Homestead (1998); SR 997 & NE 18th
Street (1998); SW 64th Avenue (1999); SW 296th Street & SW
197th Avenue, Homestead (1999); 5815 Suncrest Drive (2000);
SW 69th Street & SW 63rd Court (2000); SW 69th Street &
SW 64th Avenue, All American Park (2000, 2002); Parachute
Key, Everglades National Park (2000); 7440 SW 162nd Street
(2001); C-111 & C-113 canals (2001); Key Biscayne, Bill Baggs
Cape Florida State Park (2002–03, 2005); NE 204th Street &
NE 12th Avenue, Hialeah (2002); SW 134th Street & 122nd
Avenue, Kendall (2002); 801 Swan Avenue, Miami Springs
(2003–04, 2006–07); SW 70th Street & SW 98th Avenue
(2004–05); 16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Charles Deering Estate at
Cutler (2005); Key Biscayne, Crandon Park (2005); and 6660
SW 117th Avenue (2005).

Northern range expansion into other counties was first doc-
umented in 1974, when the first known voucher specimen (UF
86714) was collected at 7530 Plantation Road, Fort Lauderdale,
Broward County. By 1992, numerous A. equestris were being col-
lected locally and brought into Strictly Reptiles, Hollywood, for
sale in the pet trade (R. Van Nostrand, pers. comm.). We have
another Broward County record from 3468 Pierce Street,
Hollywood (2003–04). Range expansion northward into Martin
County occurred in 1986, when numerous A. equestris were inten-
tionally released at 19121 SW Conners Highway, Port Mayaca,
on the northeastern side of Lake Okeechobee (J. Watt, pers.
comm.). Our Martin County vouchers (UF 131449, 131530)
illustrate that this population has been established for more than

20 years despite cold weather and intense commercial collecting
pressure (Krysko et al. 2005). Hailman et al. (2005) reported at
least one A. equestris from Stuart in 2004 and 2005.

Despite its close proximity to Broward County, the first
known voucher specimen (TCWC 80508, Boca Raton) was not
collected from Palm Beach County until 1997 (Krysko et al.
2005). Hailman et al. (2005) reported an Anolis equestris from
Ocean Drive, Jupiter Inlet Colony, in 2004. Our other Palm
Beach County vouchers include 11 Rennie Street, West Palm
Beach (2003); Lake Worth (2004); 5233 Arbor Glen Circle,
Lake Worth (2005); 485 Cleary Road, West Palm Beach (2006);
3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach (2006); US 1 & Dixie
Highway, Delray Beach (2006); and North 123 Trail, and 0.06
mi south of North 169 Court, Jupiter (2007).

Range expansion also occurred on the southwestern Florida
coast, as evidenced by the first voucher specimen (UF 141841,
a neonate), collected in 1979 in Fort Myers, Lee County. Our
other Lee County vouchers include 5207 Palm Beach
Boulevard; Fort Myers (2005); 8880 Colonnades Court, Bonita
Springs (2007); and Morse Place and Browning Drive, Fort
Myers (2007). In 1995, the first known voucher specimen (UF
100104) for Collier County was collected at 3480 10th Street
North, Naples (Noonan 1995), which consists only of an anole
head because it was killed and partially eaten by a domestic cat.
Our other Collier County vouchers (all from Naples) include
Parkview Way (2001); Gulf Shore Boulevard North (2003); and
West Boulevard, south of Pelican Bay Boulevard (2003).

The first voucher specimen (UF 52748) from the Florida
Keys, Monroe County, was collected in 1981 at Mile Marker
87.5, Overseas Highway, Plantation Key (Achor and Moler
1982). Another Monroe County voucher specimen (UF
151192) collected in 2007 at 323 Whitehead Street, Key West,
represents the southernmost locality in the United States
(Krysko and Borgia 2007).

Along the Atlantic Coast, additional northward range
expansion is believed to have occurred more recently than in
other areas in peninsular Florida. In 2003, the first known
voucher specimen (UF 137459) from St. Lucie County was col-
lected in the Allapattah Flats, east of Carlton Road and 1.0 mi
north of Glades Cutoff Road (Krysko et al. 2005). A reptile
dealer in the area was likely responsible for this population of
Anolis equestris (see Enge and Krysko 2004), which inhabited
both citrus groves and pine flatwoods habitat, where they could
be spotted at night high up in large Slash Pines (Pinus elliottii).
In 2004, A. equestris could be found in trees along Hickock
Terrace, Port St. Lucie (R. Goushaw, pers. comm.). In 2007, two
A. equestris were found in Brevard County at 4310 MacTavish
Street, Cocoa (Enge and Coben 2007).

In 1995, an adult male Anolis equestris was intercepted in
an agricultural shipment sent from Miami to Lake Placid,
Highlands County (Meshaka et al. 2004). In 2003, the first
known voucher specimen (UF 153968) from Highlands
County was collected at 101 Green Dragon Drive, Lake Placid
(Parker and Krysko, in press). In 2000, four A. equestris fell out
of a tree during a cold front in Bartow, Polk County (C.
Trumbower, pers. comm.). In 2007, the first known voucher
specimen (UF 153967) from Polk County was collected at 3832
Avenue Q NE, Winter Haven (Parker and Krysko, in press);



another A. equestris was accidentally run over with a lawn mower
at this site a few weeks earlier (D.J. Parker, pers. comm.), sug-
gesting that an established population may be present.

Unverified reports of Anolis equestris are known from two
other previously undocumented Florida counties, including two
adults that fell out of trees during a cold front in December
1994 on Katherine Street, Daytona, Volusia County (A.T.
Reppas, pers. comm.), and several individuals brought to
Gatorland in 2004 from a neighborhood in Orlando, Orange
County (F. Morrissey, pers. comm.).

Natural History in Florida.—In Florida, Anolis equestris is a diur-
nally active, heliothermic species that is most frequently
observed from May through October (Meshaka and Rice 2005).
Its active season generally coincides with mean ambient air tem-
peratures of >29 °C (Wilson and Porras 1983, Meshaka et al.
2004). Peak activity occurs from mid-morning until late after-
noon, with activity ceasing around sunset (Meshaka et al. 2004).
However, diel activity is unimodal, and ambient temperature
better explains activity patterns than such factors as cloud cover,
wind velocity, and relative humidity (Meshaka et al. 2004).
During diel activity in Miami-Dade County, individuals gener-
ally perch above 3 m from the ground during the late morning
hours, retreating to the canopies of trees later in the afternoon
and into the evening, where they reside until daybreak (Meshaka
et al. 2004). Dalrymple (1980) noted that population sizes in
southern Florida can range from 3.3/ha in wild Tamarind
(Lysiloma latisiliquum) groves to 29.5/ha in a tropical garden.
On 4 June 2003, KLK collected by hand seven adults on trees
in less than 15 minutes along Gulf Shore Boulevard North,
Naples, Collier County, illustrating the potential abundance of
A. equestris in a relatively small area.

Anolis equestris is seen most frequently on trunks of several
different tree species (King and Krakauer 1966, Wilson and
Porras 1983), including Ficus (Ficus benjamina), Umbrella
(Schefflera actinophylla) (Krysko 2000), Mahogany (Swietenia
mahagoni), Black Olive, Wild Tamarind, and Mango (Mangifera
indica) trees (Meshaka 1993, Meshaka et al. 2004), smaller veg-

etation (Brach 1976), and edificarian structures. Anolis equestris
is omnivorous and feeds on a wide range of invertebrates, fruits
and seeds, and small vertebrates, including frogs, lizards, and
caged birds (Brach 1976, Dalrymple 1980, Nicholson and
Richards 1999, Meshaka 1999a, Meshaka et al. 2004).

Copulating pairs are most frequently observed from April
through August (Meshaka et al. 2004, Meshaka and Rice 2005).
We were provided with photographs of Anolis equestris mating
in the wild on 1 July 2007 in Bonita Springs, Lee County.
Neonates typically are <4 cm SVL, and development to sexual
maturity (100–110 mm SVL) is rapid in males and females
(12–13 months, 8–9 months, respectively) (Meshaka 1999a,
Meshaka et al. 2004). Populations turn over in about seven
years, but adults may live over 10 years in Homestead (Meshaka
and Rice 2005). Schettino (1999) reported an individual living
over 13 years in captivity.

Anolis equestris is slowly becoming widespread in the state
of Florida. Since its initial introduction from Cuba to the
University of Miami’s old North Campus, 55 years have passed
for it to expand its range and be detected in 13 Florida counties.
Anolis equestris is a large, robust anole with the potential to avoid
predation and survive cold winters. Therefore, we believe that
the range of this species in Florida will continue to expand, likely
with humans being a major factor. Because Anolis equestris is
nonindigenous to Florida and known to consume a wide vari-
ety of items, including small vertebrates, it should be removed
whenever encountered in the wild. Additionally, a comprehen-
sive study detailing its effects on the environment is needed.

Acknowledgments
We thank Kristen L. Bell, Andrew P. Borgia, Joseph P. Burgess,
Thomas G. Donlan, Kelly B. Frisco, Elizabeth A. Golden, Steve
A. Johnson & WIS 4545 class, F. Wayne King, Bill Love, Daniel
J. Parker, Anthony T. Reppas, Chris S. Samuelson, Jason C.
Seitz, Brooke L. Talley, Dan Thayer, Sam B. Thompson, and
Josiah H. Townsend for help with fieldwork; Bill Blanchette,
Joseph P. Burgess, Kristin Child, Diane M. Coben, Jake Coker,
Cis Curtin-Harrell, Mark A. Flowers, Jeff Herod, Walter E.
Meshaka, Jr., Daniel J. Parker, Stuart V. Nielsen, Scott
Strandberg, George J. Ward, and Todd Wessling for donating
lizards and photographs; Raymond Goushaw, Flavio Morrissey,
Daniel Parker, Anthony T. Reppas, Ron St. Pierre, Craig
Trumbower, Ray Von Nostrand, and J. Watt for information.

Literature Cited
Achor, K.L. and P.E. Moler. 1982. Geographic distribution: Anolis equestris

(Knight Anole). Herpetological Review 13:131.

Bartlett, R.D. and P.P. Bartlett. 1999. A Field Guide to Florida Reptiles and
Amphibians. Gulf Publishing Company, Houston, Texas.

Brach, V. 1976. Habits and food of Anolis equestris in Florida. Copeia 1953:63.

Brown, L.N. 1972. Presence of the Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) on Elliott
Key, Florida. Florida Naturalist 45:130.

Butterfield, B.P., W.E. Meshaka, and C. Guyer. 1997. Nonindigenous amphib-
ians and reptiles, pp. 123–138. In: D. Simberloff, D.C. Schmitz, and T.
C. Brown (eds.), Strangers in Paradise. Island Press, Washington, D.C.

Collette, B.B. 1961. Correlations between ecology and morphology in anoline
lizards from Havana, Cuba and southern Florida. Bulletin of the Museum
of Comparative Zoology 15:137–162.

218 IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 CAMPOSANO ET AL.

Six of seven adult Anolis equestris collected in less than 15 minutes in
Naples, Collier County, Florida. 

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Parker’s Tree Frog (Leptopelis parkeri) is “vulnerable” to extinction because its distribution is severely fragmented and the extent of its forest habitat in the
Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania (Africa) is declining. It cannot survive in seriously disturbed habitats and is threatened by expanding human settlements,
agriculture, deforestation, and illegal gold mining. It breeds in slow-flowing streams, although its eggs are laid in a nest on land close to water. 

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African Coral Cobras (Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus) are native to southern Africa. These snakes are nocturnal and fossorial, spending the day underground in
rodent burrows, although they have been found in rock crevices and in abandoned termite mounds. They eat small rodents, lizards, and possibly other snakes,
and have been known to eat reptilian eggs. 

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Rough Knobtail Geckos (Nephrurus amyae) are large, robust lizards that occur in rocky outcrops in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are dietary gen-
eralists, eating virtually any small animal they can fit in their mouths. Even juveniles respond to threats by elevating their bodies, gaping, and hissing. Like
most true geckos, they lack eyelids and use their tongues to clean the scales that cover the eyes. 

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Jackson’s Chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) is native to the cooler humid uplands of Kenya and Tanzania
in eastern Africa. An introduced population in Hawaii served as the primary source of animals for the
pet trade until exportation was prohibited in an effort to prevent the introduction and misuse of other
species for commercial purposes. Chameleons use crypsis and very deliberate movements to approach
prey (mostly insects) that they capture with an extensible tongue. Males have horns that may be used
in slow-motion pushing and shoving matches to establish dominance and defend territories. Unlike
most chameleons, which lay eggs, Jackson’s Chameleons give birth to live young. M

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Proud sponsor of the IRCF and this centerfold



Jackson’s Chameleon (Chamaeleo jacksonii) is native to the cooler humid uplands of Kenya and Tanzania
in eastern Africa. An introduced population in Hawaii served as the primary source of animals for the
pet trade until exportation was prohibited in an effort to prevent the introduction and misuse of other
species for commercial purposes. Chameleons use crypsis and very deliberate movements to approach
prey (mostly insects) that they capture with an extensible tongue. Males have horns that may be used
in slow-motion pushing and shoving matches to establish dominance and defend territories. Unlike
most chameleons, which lay eggs, Jackson’s Chameleons give birth to live young. M

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Proud sponsor of the IRCF and this centerfold



Parker’s Tree Frog (Leptopelis parkeri) is “vulnerable” to extinction because its distribution is severely fragmented and the extent of its forest habitat in the
Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania (Africa) is declining. It cannot survive in seriously disturbed habitats and is threatened by expanding human settlements,
agriculture, deforestation, and illegal gold mining. It breeds in slow-flowing streams, although its eggs are laid in a nest on land close to water. 

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African Coral Cobras (Aspidelaps lubricus lubricus) are native to southern Africa. These snakes are nocturnal and fossorial, spending the day underground in
rodent burrows, although they have been found in rock crevices and in abandoned termite mounds. They eat small rodents, lizards, and possibly other snakes,
and have been known to eat reptilian eggs. 

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Rough Knobtail Geckos (Nephrurus amyae) are large, robust lizards that occur in rocky outcrops in the Northern Territory of Australia. They are dietary gen-
eralists, eating virtually any small animal they can fit in their mouths. Even juveniles respond to threats by elevating their bodies, gaping, and hissing. Like
most true geckos, they lack eyelids and use their tongues to clean the scales that cover the eyes. 

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IGUANA  •  VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4  •  DECEMBER 2008 219KNIGHT ANOLE IN FLORIDA

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Appendix. Specimens examined from Florida counties. Note that
Everglades National Park (EVER) specimens are now accessioned
into the Florida Museum of Natural History (UF) collection. 

Brevard: UF 150871. Broward: UF 86714, 137715, 140586,
141120, 142894–96, 145031–34. Collier: UF 100104,
137037–42; USNM 547963. Lee: UF 141841, 144191,
145694, 151376, 152335. Martin: UF 131449, 131530.
Miami-Dade: AMNH 89355; AUM 35823; EVER
302917–18, 302961–75, 303151–58, 303509, 303996-00,
306531, 306539, 307138, 308170, 308776, 39977; KU
172917, 220258; LACM 61680–86, 74878–80; LSUMZ
24010, 30725, 42087, 56737; MCZ 85093, 85564, 93445,
131609, 140112, 142470, 143901–09, 171444–47, 174816,
175020–21, 182994; MPM 19142–44, 25669; MVZ
214996–99; UF 21908–09, 22022–37, 40618, 42432,
63077–82, 66920–21, 74958, 80343, 83799, 89569–74,
90925, 99187, 99674, 100104, 121125, 121425, 121445–48,
122474–75, 130653, 130685, 131449, 131477, 131489,
131530, 132727, 134839, 134916, 137037–42, 137714,
138394, 141229, 141576, 141841, 144135, 144191, 144220,
145027–29, 145216, 145359–61, 145694, 150534, 150732,
151359, 151376, 152322, 152335; UMMZ 225093–97,
227717; USNM 194847, 245588–89, 252596–99, 523789,
547963; UTA 35597; YPM HER.R. 7023, 7028; Monroe:
TCWC 80508; UF 52748, 137015, 141949, 144334, 149862,
150533, 150535, 151192, 151601; St. Lucie: UF 137459.




