Carpenter's anole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Carpenter's anole |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Anolis
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| Species: |
carpenteri
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The Carpenter's anole (scientific name: Anolis carpenteri) is a fascinating type of lizard. It belongs to the family called Dactyloidae. This special lizard is only found in Central America. When an animal is only found in one place, we say it is endemic to that area.
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About the Name
This lizard is named after a scientist named Charles Congden Carpenter. He was an American herpetologist. A herpetologist is a scientist who studies reptiles and amphibians.
What It Looks Like
The Carpenter's anole is a small lizard. It is usually green in color. One of its most noticeable features is its bright orange dewlap. A dewlap is a flap of skin under a lizard's chin. They can extend it to show off, often to attract mates or warn other lizards. This anole also has smooth scales on its belly.
Where It Lives
Carpenter's anole likes to live in open areas. These areas are often found where land meets watercourses, like rivers or streams. It is very good at climbing. You can often spot it on rocks covered with lichen, tree trunks, and bushes.
Where You Can Find It
This lizard lives in several countries in Central America. These include Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. In Costa Rica, it can be found in places like Amistad Caribe and Guanacaste. It also lives near the Reventazon River in the Cartago Province.
What It Eats
The Carpenter's anole is a carnivore, meaning it eats other animals. Its main diet consists of arthropods. Most of the time, it eats different kinds of insects.
How It Reproduces
Like many reptiles, the Carpenter's anole lays eggs. This way of reproducing is called oviparous. The female lizard lays her eggs, and then the young hatch from them.
