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Abbreviation Legend
- (CE) - Criticially Endangered
- (CI) - Critically Imperiled
- (E) - Endangered
- (I) - Introduced
- (IM) - Imperiled
- (NT) - Near Threatened
- (T) - Threatened
- (V) - Vulnerable
- (**) - Recent Classification Change
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Anoles of the United States
Dactyloidae or Anoles are small to fairly large lizards, typically green or brownish, but their color varies depending on species and many can also change it. In most species at least the male has developed a dewlap, an often brightly colored flap of skin that extends from the throat/neck and is used in displays. The Anoles dewlaps tend to change color when they are setting boundaries with another male and when dealing with courtship. Female anoles do not have dewlaps which is one of thee reasons why they pay attention to a males dewlap when searching for a potential mate. Anoles share several characteristics with geckos, including details of the foot structure (for climbing) and the ability to voluntarily break off the tail (to escape predators), but they are only very distantly related, anoles being part of Iguania.
There 11 species, representing 1 genus, found in the United States, all but 1 species (Anolis carolinensis) have been Introduced.
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