Puerto Rican Crested Anole

Puerto Rican Crested Anole, Common Dwarf Lizard (Eng.), Lagartijo comùn (Sp.), Ctenonotus cristatellus (Sci.), native species Puerto Rico.

Photo © Father Alejandro Sánchez. Information compiled by Alan Mowbray, Interpretive Media Writer, EYNF/LEF

General Information

Taxonomy: Class – Reptilia, Order – Squamata, Family – Polychrotidae, Genus – Ctenonotus, Species – C. cristatellus cristatellus.  The Puerto Rican Crested Anole is found throughout the island of Puerto Rico and has been introduced into eastern Hispaniola (Dominican Republic) and Florida. A subspecies, Anolis cristatellus wileyae, is found on Culebra and Vieques, islands located near Puerto Rico’s eastern coast, and also on the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Description

C. c. cristatellus coloration varies from brownish-red to dark black or an extremely light gray. Colors are seen to change in reaction to temperature and behavioral state. Although these animals are often mistakenly referred to as "chameleons," they are not a related species. C. c. cristatellus has a crest along its tail that may serve to demonstrate dominance in a contest between males for a female. Males have a bright yellow-orange dewlap, also used in determining dominance when attempting to control territory. Snout to vent length is typically between 5 to 8 inches (12.7 to 20.3 centimeters).

Habits

When seeking a mate or defending territory, a Puerto Rican Crested Anole male will display its dewlap and perform "pushups" to establish dominance. Males aggressively defend territories when mating, but only rarely does this result in physical combat. As a defense against predators, C. c. cristatellus may autotomize (shed part of its tail structure). The Crested Anole’s main diet consists of arachnids (spiders) and other small invertebrates, occasionally consuming fruit that has fallen from trees. They have also been observed consuming other anoles, possibly due to territory defense, or if other food sources are scarce.

Habitat

The Puerto Rican Crested Anole can be found throughout the island of Puerto Rico including lower mountain regions. They can also be found on the eastern offshore islands. They have been introduced into southern Florida and eastern region of the Dominican Republic on the island of Hispaniola.

Where to look for this animal in the EYNF

A lowland animal, C. c. cristatellus can occasionally be seen near the El Portal and Big Tree Nature Trails in El Yunque’s Tabonuco forest type occurring on foothills and slopes below 2,000 feet (609.6 meters) in elevation, covering approximately 5,430 hectares (13,417acres).

Additional Information

Biologist
USDA Forest Service
El Yunque National Forest
HC-01 Box 13490
Rio Grande, PR 00745
787 888 1810