Brown Anole / Green Anole
Oh my gosh there are lizards all over the place here in Cape Coral (and Florida too!). Visitors and new residents of Cape Coral are quick to see the tiny little brown lizards scurrying about. These little creatures can be confused with geckos and other exotic lizards, but they are officially known as Brown Anoles (Anolis sagrei).
Like so many of our creatures here in Florida, these little lizards are not native to Florida. These lizards call the Caribbean home, but were introduced to southern Florida many years ago, and have expanded their range as far north as Georgia.
The Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis, is the native species of this lizard and is found throughout the southeastern US.
The native Green Anole is slowly but surely being displaced by the Brown Anole.
Brown Anole (non-native)
Telling these two critters apart can be tricky. The Green Anole is green, but can also be brown. The Brown Anole is brown or gray and never green. The Green Anole can change color while the Brown Anole can change color but to a lesser extent.
Both species have a dewlap which is displayed to defend territory.
The anole’s diet consists of crickets, small locusts, mealworms, wax worms, small earthworms, small cockroaches, flies and even moths, butterflies and spiders.
They are a favorite meal of the egrets found in Florida, and you can often see an egret stalking the shrubbery for a tasty anole.
They are harmless and often die of starvation if they get inside your home.
And by the way, don’t try to catch one. If you grab it by the tail, the tail will fall off and keep wiggling and gross you out! (The tail will eventually grow back)
Green Anole (native)
House Gecko (non-native)
Blue Tail Skink
Browse more Cape Coral Wildlife
Burrowing Owl
Cape Coral, Florida: Home to Florida's largest population of Burrowing Owls, charming and tiny, these owls reside in underground burrows.
Gopher Tortoise
The Gopher Tortoise is a native, keystone species that is listed as threatened due to severe habitat loss.
Bald Eagle
The American Bald Eagle is protected by both federal and local laws. Their nests are typically found in old growth pine tree stands.
Florida Scrub Jay
The Scrub Jay is endemic to Florida, meaning it is not found anywhere else in the wild. It is another species under grave threat due to severe habitat loss.
Purple Martin
The Purple Martin is a migratory bird species that stops in Southwest Florida each year. CCFW volunteers have provided important habitat and monitoring.
Cape Coral Butterflies
Florida was named for its plethora of flowers. The pollinators they support, such as butterflies and skippers, are just as numerous and eye-catching!
Cats
Domestic and feral cats are not wildlife, but outdoor cats can have a terrible impact, often hunting and killing other species we care about.
Manatee
The lovable, docile manatee can be spotted relatively easily in the warm waters around Southwest Florida and Cape Coral.
Alligators
Alligators can be dangerous and should be treated with respect, but there have been no fatal encounters in Cape Coral's history.
Birds of Cape Coral
Learn more about the many species of birds that can be spotted in Cape Coral and how to identify some of them.
Coyotes
As in many parts of the country, coyotes are extending their range into urban areas as they are driven out of their native habitats.
Bees
Bees and their pollination work are widely viewed as one the most critical building blocks in every ecosystem.