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Green Anole

Anolis carolinensis

Reptile · family Polychrotidae · order Squamata

  1. G1
    Critically imperiled
  2. G2
    Imperiled
  3. G3
    Vulnerable
  4. G4
    Apparently secure
  5. G5
    Secure

NatureServe global rank G5: secure[2].

Updated October 30, 2026. Published by Humblebee.

Endangered Species Act
Not listed[1]
NatureServe global rank
G5 Secure[2]
Native in
11 states[3]
Longest recorded life
7.2 years[4]

The Green Anole is a reptile in the order Squamata. NatureServe ranks it Secure worldwide, and it is native to 11 US states[5][2][3].

Conservation status

NatureServe gives the Green Anole a global rank of G5 and a US national rank of N5, and both mean Secure[2][6]. The IUCN Red List category recorded by NatureServe is Least concern[7]. The species is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[1]. NatureServe notes that its population is large and apparently fairly stable, though declines have occurred in Florida[8].

Status Value
Endangered Species Act[1] Not listed
NatureServe global rank[2] G5 (Secure)
NatureServe US rank[6] N5 (Secure)
IUCN Red List (via NatureServe)[7] Least concern
Total population (NatureServe estimate)[9] 100,000 to >1,000,000 individuals

Where Green Anole lives

NatureServe lists the Green Anole as native in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas[3]. It is introduced, which means not native, in Hawaii[10]. On GBIF, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana and Georgia have the most observation records, which reflects where people look and report[11].

Alaska: not recordedAKMaine: not recordedMEWisconsin: not recordedWIVermont: not recordedVTNew Hampshire: not recordedNHWashington: not recordedWAIdaho: not recordedIDMontana: not recordedMTNorth Dakota: not recordedNDMinnesota: not recordedMNIllinois: not recordedILMichigan: not recordedMINew York: not recordedNYMassachusetts: not recordedMAOregon: not recordedORNevada: not recordedNVWyoming: not recordedWYSouth Dakota: not recordedSDIowa: not recordedIAIndiana: not recordedINOhio: not recordedOHPennsylvania: not recordedPANew Jersey: not recordedNJConnecticut: not recordedCTRhode Island: not recordedRICalifornia: not recordedCAUtah: not recordedUTColorado: not recordedCONebraska: not recordedNEMissouri: not recordedMOKentucky: not recordedKYWest Virginia: not recordedWVVirginia: not recordedVAMaryland: not recordedMDDelaware: not recordedDEArizona: not recordedAZNew Mexico: not recordedNMKansas: not recordedKSArkansas: native, state rank S5ARTennessee: native, state rank S3TNNorth Carolina: native, state rank S5NCSouth Carolina: native, state rank S5SCDistrict of Columbia: not recordedDCOklahoma: native, state rank SNROKLouisiana: native, state rank S5LAMississippi: native, state rank S5MSAlabama: native, state rank S5ALGeorgia: native, state rank S5GAHawaii: introduced, state rank SNAHITexas: native, state rank S5TXFlorida: native, state rank S5FLPuerto Rico: not recordedPR
State presence as recorded by NatureServe[12].
Show state ranks (12 states)
StateRankMeaning
AlabamaS5Secure
ArkansasS5Secure
FloridaS5Secure
GeorgiaS5Secure
HawaiiSNANot Applicable
LouisianaS5Secure
MississippiS5Secure
North CarolinaS5Secure
OklahomaSNRNot Ranked
South CarolinaS5Secure
TennesseeS3Vulnerable
TexasS5Secure

Habitat

NatureServe records many habitats for this lizard, including hardwood, conifer and mixed forest, woodland, forested wetland, riparian areas and suburban areas[13]. It lives mostly in trees and climbs trunks, shrubs, vines, fence posts and building walls[14]. It often turns up at the edges of habitats and sleeps in plants at night[14]. Eggs are buried in damp ground or in cover such as litter, old wood or stones[14].

Habitat types recorded by NatureServe[13]

Size, diet and lifespan

The Green Anole eats insects, spiders and other small invertebrates[15][16]. Its typical length is 20 cm (8 in)[17]. Females lay one egg at a time, and the eggs hatch in 5 to 7 weeks[18]. AnAge lists an incubation period of 42 days and female maturity at 259 days[19][20]. AnAge gives the longest recorded lifespan for the species, from animals in captivity[4].

Trait Value
Typical length[17] 20 cm (8 in)
Longest recorded lifespan (AnAge)[4] 7.2 years (captivity)
Gestation or incubation[19] 42 days
Female maturity[20] 259 days (about 0.7 years)
Food habits[16] Invertivore
Migration[21] non-migrant

When to look for it

The Green Anole is diurnal, which means active during the day[22]. It does not migrate[21]. It slows down when it is cold, yet it does not hibernate and may be out on sunny winter days[23]. Egg laying runs from April to September[18]. GBIF records are highest in March, April and May, which shows when people report it and not how many animals there are[24].

January: 2,970 recordsJanFebruary: 5,803 recordsFebMarch: 16,015 recordsMarApril: 21,595 recordsAprMay: 13,627 recordsMayJune: 9,699 recordsJunJuly: 10,001 recordsJulAugust: 9,263 recordsAugSeptember: 11,675 recordsSepOctober: 10,143 recordsOctNovember: 6,251 recordsNovDecember: 3,432 recordsDec
US observation records on GBIF by month, all years. The three months with the most records are highlighted. Records show when people look and report, not how many animals there are[24].
Show records by month
MonthRecords
January2,970
February5,803
March16,015
April21,595
May13,627
June9,699
July10,001
August9,263
September11,675
October10,143
November6,251
December3,432

Where to see it

National Park Service species lists record Green Anole as present in 34 park units[25]. Present means the park has a confirmed record, not that sightings are common.

And 10 more park units.

States with the most GBIF observation records: Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia[11]. These counts follow where people look and report, not population size.

Questions people ask

Is the Green Anole endangered?
NatureServe ranks it G5, Secure, and it is not listed under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS data checked on 2026-10-30[2][1].
Where does the Green Anole live?
It is native to Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, and introduced in Hawaii[3][10].
What does the Green Anole eat?
It eats insects, spiders and other small invertebrates[15].
How big is a Green Anole?
NatureServe records a typical length of 20 cm (8 in)[17].
How long does a Green Anole live?
AnAge gives the oldest known lifespan, from animals in captivity[4]. This is a record, not a typical lifespan.

Facts and sources

  1. Green Anole is not listed as endangered or threatened under the US Endangered Species Act in USFWS ECOS data (checked 2026-10-30). USFWS ECOS
  2. NatureServe global conservation status rank for Green Anole: G5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  3. NatureServe lists Green Anole as native in 11 US states and territories: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas. NatureServe Explorer
  4. Maximum recorded lifespan in AnAge: 7.2 years in captivity. This is a record, not a typical lifespan. AnAge
  5. Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a reptile in the family Polychrotidae, order Squamata. NatureServe Explorer
  6. NatureServe national rank in the United States: N5 (Secure). NatureServe Explorer
  7. IUCN Red List category as recorded by NatureServe: Least concern. NatureServe Explorer
  8. NatureServe notes on trend for Green Anole. NatureServe Explorer
  9. NatureServe estimate of total adult population (global, as a range): 100,000 to >1,000,000 individuals. NatureServe Explorer
  10. NatureServe lists Green Anole as introduced (not native) in: Hawaii. NatureServe Explorer
  11. US states with the most GBIF observation records of Green Anole: Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia. Record counts follow observer effort, not population size. GBIF
  12. NatureServe state ranks for Green Anole (map and table on this page). NatureServe Explorer
  13. Habitat types NatureServe records for Green Anole: Forest - hardwood, Forest - conifer, Forest - mixed, Woodland - hardwood, Woodland - conifer, Woodland - mixed, Suburban/orchard, Forested wetland, Riparian. NatureServe Explorer
  14. NatureServe notes on habitat for Green Anole. NatureServe Explorer
  15. NatureServe notes on food for Green Anole. NatureServe Explorer
  16. Adult food habits recorded by NatureServe: Invertivore. NatureServe Explorer
  17. Typical length recorded by NatureServe: 20 cm (8 in). NatureServe Explorer
  18. NatureServe notes on reproduction for Green Anole. NatureServe Explorer
  19. Gestation or incubation period in AnAge: 42 days. AnAge
  20. Age at female sexual maturity in AnAge: 259 days (about 0.7 years). AnAge
  21. NatureServe migration category for Green Anole: non-migrant (populations can differ). NatureServe Explorer
  22. Adult activity patterns recorded by NatureServe: Diurnal. NatureServe Explorer
  23. NatureServe notes on phenology for Green Anole. NatureServe Explorer
  24. GBIF observation records of Green Anole in the US by month (chart on this page). GBIF
  25. NPSpecies park lists recording Green Anole as present (list on this page). NPS NPSpecies

Status, range and habitat come from NatureServe Explorer (CC BY 4.0) and USFWS ECOS at the snapshot date. Listings change by federal rule. State lists are where NatureServe records the species, not a promise that you will see it there. Never name a place smaller than a state. GBIF and park records count observations and checklists. They show where and when people report the species, not how many animals live there.

NatureServe. 2026. NatureServe Explorer [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available https://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed: October 30, 2026). Licensed under CC BY 4.0; SpeciesFacts selected and summarized it.