anole

American  

[uh-noh-lee] / əˈnoʊ li /

noun

1. any of numerous chiefly insectivorous New World lizards of the genus Anolis, related to the iguana, that have the ability to change the color of their skin among a wide range of green and brown shades.

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anole British  

/ əˈnəʊl /

noun

1. Also called: American chameleon.  any small arboreal tropical American insectivorous lizards of the genus Anolis, such as A. carolinensis ( green anole ): family Iguanidae (iguanas). They are able to change the colour of their skin

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Etymology

Origin of anole

1895–1900; variant of anoli < Carib

Example Sentences

Longer dives, however, mean that it's less likely for a predator to be waiting once the anole returns to the surface.

From Science Daily • Mar. 5, 2024

Similarly, anole lizards living in Puerto Rico’s urban areas grew longer limbs than their counterparts out in the forests, according to a 2016 study.

From National Geographic • Feb. 15, 2024

Think of the bright elastic throats of anole lizards, the Fabergé abdomens of peacock spiders and the curling, iridescent, ludicrously long feathers of birds-of-paradise.

From New York Times • Jan. 9, 2019

As it turns out, anole species that use broader surfaces to get around have evolved longer legs compared with their narrow-substrate counterparts.

From Washington Post • Aug. 25, 2017

This small anole is common and widespread in the Atlantic lowlands of southern M�xico and northern Central America; usually it inhabits sub-humid regions.

From Amphibians and Reptiles of the Rainforests of Southern El Peten, Guatemala by Duellman, William E.