Green Anole Lizards

Green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are the only native anole species in Florida. They are growing rarer as they are forced to compete with similar species that were introduced to the state. These include non-native brown anoles, bark anoles, crested anoles, green iguanas, spiny-tailed iguanas, basilisks, and more. Brown anoles are particularly prolific and hardy, giving them a better chance at surviving and therefore allowing them to take excess resources.

Anolis porcatus is another fierce competitor; this non-native green lizard is a lookalike to the green anoles. Some experts argue that DNA analysis is the only way to factually tell the two species apart. This makes identifying them in the wild nigh impossible.