A tiny hatchling Green Anole, its tender age obvious from its disproportionately large eyes, makes its way cautiously through some thick grass at Cottonmouth Acres. These lizards are an important early source of food for neonate and juvenile cottonmouths, as well as for the young of many other snake species, though most will switch to other foods as adults. Anoles and skinks typically hatch in mid to late summer, just ahead of the baby snakes, and by the time cottonmouths are being born in late

Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are common in sunny woodland edges and backyard gardens. They’re native to the southeastern US. Starting around April, males fight for territories and display to potential mates. The lizards on this fence are head bobbing, flashing their pink dewlap, and laterally compressing their body to show their dominance. The dewlaps of males vary from red to pink. Many people call Green Anoles “chameleons” due to their ability to change color from green to brown. These c