Each month Trail Manager, Emily Galka, highlights flora and fauna that she observes in the Goethe State Forest that surrounds the Black Prong Resort.

We finally made it through the cold spell and the lizards have returned to the barn. If you’ve spent any time in Florida you know there is no shortage of anoles, friendly little green (and brown) lizards that are often seen climbing on the side of buildings and scuttling around the edges of swimming pools. I have seen a few green anoles that like to climb the rafters of the barn so I decided to learn more about them.

These 5-8inch native lizards are super interesting because they have toes similar to geckos that make it possible for them to climb walls, mainly because of fast paced evolution. The brown anole is an invasive species from Cuba that has been competing with the native green anoles for territory and resources since they made their way to Miami in the 1940s. Because the brown anole tends to be more aggressive, it outcompeted Florida’s native green anoles, in turn, the green anoles that were better climbers had a better chance of surviving in the trees away from the brown anoles. Scientists have noted a 5% increase in average toe pad size to assist in climbing over the course of 20 generations, which is incredibly fast! Their color gives them great camouflage with leaves, but they also have the ability to change colors.