Jamaican giant anole

Jamaican Anolis ( Norops garmani )

The Jamaican Anolis ( Norops garmani ( Syn: Anolis garmani )) is within the partial order of the iguana -like ( Iguania ) to the genus Beta Anolis ( Norops ).

Description

Males reach a total length of up to 35 cm, females around 25 cm. The tail length value is about 2/3 of the total length. The animals are characterized by a beautiful emerald green ground color. On the flanks of several yellowish to brown horizontal stripes are visible. The back has a shed ridge, which continues to the tail end. This ridge is less pronounced in females. At night and during periods of rest, the coloring turns into a brown. The rather massive head is only slightly away from the body and ends in a pointed snout. The body is a total of more slender form. To the eyes yellowish eye circles can be seen. The Jamaican Anolis has very well-trained eyes, he can (like chameleons ) move independently. The ear openings are far back on the head. Her thin legs end in 5 fingers, which are equipped with powerful claws.

Males are characterized by a large dewlap, which is yellowish and the posturing and can be used towards conspecifics and predators understood as a threatening gesture. Besides the size, males can easily recognize even with the enlarged Postanalschuppen. Males are very territorial and will defend their territory vigorously. This arboreal species not yet an endangered species. You reach an age of about 10 years.

Dissemination

The original range of the Jamaican Anolis extends across the Caribbean island of Jamaica. There they inhabit the canopy of montane forest at altitudes of around 1,500 meters. Meanwhile, this species is also native to Florida. The are very strong revier related and defend their territory against intruders. Threats here are the erection of the front legs as well as the inflation of the dewlap. If you can not distribute an intruder, so it comes to a fight, which is not uncommon for the underdog is fatal. The female leaves the treetops only to lay their eggs.

Food

The animals feed mainly on insects and their larvae. Here and there they improve their diet on with ripe fruit.

Reproduction

Sexual maturity reached the Jamaican Anolis with around 10 to 12 months. Procreation is not bound to a solid season. During courtship, the male tries to impress his elect by nodding and inflating the dewlap. The female lays at intervals of 3-4 weeks each with 2 eggs in Erdmulden on the forest floor. The wells are covered carefully after oviposition. The eggs have an average size of 1.2 cm. After about 50 to 60 days hatch the young animals who have a birth length of about 8 cm. Immediately after hatching, they shed their skin for the 1st time.