Western bearded anole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western bearded anole |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Anolis
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| Species: |
barbatus
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The Western bearded anole (Anolis barbatus) is a special kind of anole lizard. It lives only in the western part of Cuba. These lizards are sometimes called "false chameleons" because they look a bit like chameleons and move slowly.
What Does It Look Like?
Adult Western bearded anoles are about 18 cm (7 in) long from their nose to the start of their tail. Their tails are a little shorter than their bodies. It's hard to tell the difference between male and female lizards just by looking at them. This is called having little sexual dimorphism.
These lizards have strong heads and are usually a dull gray-brown color. They move slowly, which helps them hide from animals that might want to eat them. They have blunt teeth that are perfect for crushing snails, which is a big part of their diet.
Special Abilities and Movement
Like other anoles, these lizards have special pads on their toes. These pads are similar to those found on geckos. They help the anoles grip almost any surface, whether they are jumping, running, or hiding.
Studies show that Western bearded anoles spend most of their time staying still. They usually only move when they need to find food, escape from danger, or show off to other lizards during mating season. Even though they are generally slow, they can move very quickly when they need to catch food or run away from a predator.
Unique Features
The Western bearded anole is one of six types of anoles from Cuba that are sometimes called "false chameleons." These lizards are quite large for anoles. They are also unusual because they cannot drop their tails if a predator grabs them. Most anoles can do this to escape, but the Western bearded anole cannot autotomize (self-amputate) its tail.
These lizards, along with a similar lizard from Hispaniola called A. landestoyi, form a group known as "twig–giant ecomorphs." This means they have adapted to live in similar places, like on twigs and branches, and have similar body shapes, even if they are not closely related.
See also
In Spanish: Anolis barbudo cubano para niños
- List of Anolis lizards
