| Guadeloupean Anole (Ctenonotus marmoratus (Duméril & Bibron, 1837)) |
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Scientific name: Ctenonotus marmoratus (Duméril & Bibron, 1837) Common name: Guadeloupean Anole Other names: Leopard Anole, old scientific name: Anolis marmoratus. French name: Anolis marbré, Anolis à tête marbrée, Anolis de la Guadeloupe. Order: Squamata Suborder: Sauria Family: Dactyloidae Size: Up to 25cm long for males and 15cm long for females. Habitat : Trunks and rocks.. Food: Small insects and spiders. Reproduction : Oviparous. Females lay the eggs in soil. Geographic area: Guadeloupe Islands archipelago, Dominica, Martinique. The Ctenonotus marmoratus caryae subspecies has been introduced to Guyana. |
Leopard Anoles are diurnal lizards, excellent climbers, with an elongated head, a pointed snout and prominent eyes. Males are green. The tail can be an electric blue colour and the head can be orange. They have an orange dewlap (throat pouch) under the head. They can inflate it in case of danger or to attract females. Females are a duller colour, usually greyish. They show a dorsal white stripe. Males have a colour-changing ability but not so easily than chameleon. There are many subspecies. |
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This Leopard Anole was not easy to see among the vegetation bordering the large pond named Grand-Etang on Basse-Terre. |
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You can clearly understand, on this picture, why Ctenonotus marmoratus has got the common name of Leopard Anole. |
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I have observed this Guadeloupean Anole near the foot path leading to the beautiful site called Saut de la Lézarde. It inflated its nice orange dewlap when I approached. But it didn't do it again as soon as my camera was pulled out of my backpack :-(( |
André Bon April 2011