Iguana 10.1


The more than 200 species in the genus Anolis
differ in size but share a similar body plan variously
modified to take advantage of specific habitats. With
the exception of A. carolinensis, which ranges far into
temperate parts of the southeastern United States,
anoles are subtropical or tropical and are widely dis-
tributed throughout the Neotropics. Anoles occur on
virtually all islands in the West Indies. Small islands
may have just one species but large islands may have
many: Cuba has over 50 and Hispaniola over 40. All
anoles are arboreal to some degree and possess
expanded subdigital lamellae (toe pads) that assist in
climbing and variously colored dewlaps (throat fans)
used in behavioral displays.

The Grand Cayman Blue Anole, Anolis consper-
sus, is restricted to Grand Cayman Island, where it is
the only native anole. Inhabiting all but the most
open habitats (including the walls of buildings), it is
the island’s most abundant and visible reptile. Adult
males reach a maximum body length over 75 mm
and exhibit at least three distinct color patterns,
although some individuals have intermediate or
mixed patterns. Those in most populations on the
west end of the island are predominantly blue with
white spots but, in some populations, they are green,
and in some of the latter, the head is yellow. Males
from the eastern half
of the island are brown
with black or dark
brown vermiculations.
In the dark phase, all
color varieties become
nearly black. In all pop-
ulations, the dewlap is
blue. Females are strik-
ingly different in
appearance; they are
much smaller (maxi-
mum body length
about 50 mm) and are,
in all populations, light
brown with a white
middorsal stripe that is
punctuated by black
chevrons.

The Brown (or Cuban) Anole, A. sagrei, has
recently been introduced on Grand Cayman, proba-
bly with foliage plants imported from Florida, and
may pose a threat to native A. conspersus where the
species co-exist. Adult A. sagrei will eat hatchling A.
conspersus. Both species use many of the same habi-
tats, but A. sagrei also will inhabit more open areas,
whereas A. conspersus actively excludes A. sagrei
from more shaded regions.

Pertinent Literature
Avery, R.A. 1988. Observations on habitat utilization by the

lizard Anolis conspersus on the island of Grand Cayman,
West Indies. Amphibia-Reptilia 9:417–420.

Gerber, G.P. 2000. Interactions between introduced and native
Anolis lizards in Florida and Grand Cayman Island. Ph.D.
Dissertation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Gerber, G.P. and A.C. Echternacht. 2000. Evidence for
asymmetrical intraguild predation between native and
introduced Anolis lizards. Oecologia 124:599–607.

Grant, C. 1940. The herpetology of the Cayman Islands. 
Science Series 2:1–65.

Losos, J.B., J.C. Marks, and T.W. Schoener. 1993. Habitat use
and ecological interactions of an introduced and a native
species of Anolis lizard on Grand Cayman, with a review of
the outcomes of anole introductions. Oecologia
95:525–532.

Schoener, T. W. 1967. The ecological significance of sexual
dimorphism in size in the lizard Anolis conspersus. Science
155:474–477.

Schwartz, A. and R.W. Henderson. 1991. Amphibians and
Reptiles of the West Indies: Descriptions, Distributions, and
Natural History. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.

Seidel, M.E. and R. Franz. 1994. Amphibians and reptiles
(exclusive of marine turtles) of the Cayman Islands, pp.
407–433. In: M.A. Brunt and J.E. Davies (eds.), The
Cayman Islands Natural History and Biogeography. Kluwer
Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, The Netherlands.

SPECIES PROFILE:
Grand Cayman Blue Anole: Anolis conspersus

Adult male Anolis conspersus from Georgetown, Grand
Cayman Island. Photograph by A.C. Echternacht

Adult female Anolis
conspersus from near East
End, Grand Cayman
Island. Photograph by
A.C. Echternacht

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