The green anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small lizard native to the southeastern United States and prominently found in New Orleans. Recent studies highlight how this species exhibits marked differences in behavior, habitat use, and physical traits in urban environments compared to rural populations.
In New Orleans, green anoles have adapted to the fragmented and open urban habitat, often perching on palmetto plants and man-made structures rather than the taller, continuous forest habitats preferred in rural areas. Urban anoles typically have more slender bodies, longer forelimbs, and larger toepads, adaptations that aid in climbing smoother surfaces found in cities.
Behaviorally, urban green anoles display more frequent and varied territorial and courtship displays than their rural counterparts, possibly due to differences in habitat complexity and predator pressures. Studies have also documented how invasive lizard species in urban areas can affect the behavior and ecology of native green anole populations.
Long-term observations in New Orleans show fluctuating population dynamics influenced by urban environmental conditions. These findings contribute to a broader understanding of how native wildlife can adjust to human-altered habitats and the challenges posed by urbanization and invasive species.
This research, featured by National Geographic, underscores the green anole’s role as a model for studying urban ecology, evolutionary adaptation, and species resilience in changing environments.