green anole

noun

plural green anoles

: an anole (Anolis carolinensis) of the southeastern U.S. that can vary its skin color from green to brown and is often kept as a pet

The true chameleon and the green anole have much in common. They are both lizards. Most species live in trees or bushes, subsisting mainly on insects. Both can change color, although the anole's ability to do so is considerably more limited than the chameleon's.

—David Crews

called also American chameleon, Carolina anole

Illustration of green anole

Examples of green anole in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Florida, the native North American green anole (Anolis carolinensis) has lived high up on tree trunks, consuming arboreal insects in the low canopy, for millions of years. —Quanta Magazine, 2 Jan. 2024

And unlike the colorful green anole, the Texas spiny lizard keeps a low profile by blending in with its surroundings rather than sticking out. —René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 22 Dec. 2020

The Carolina anole also is known as the green anole for its bright, verdant color. —René A. Guzman, ExpressNews.com, 12 Aug. 2020

The 34-year-old UF student is in his fourth year pursuing a doctoral degree in interdisciplinary ecology, and much of his work has focused on Gainesville’s native green anole lizards and their responses to two threats: development and invasive brown anoles. —Danielle Ivanov, orlandosentinel.com, 23 Oct. 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

green anole

noun

: a long-tailed lizard of the southeastern U.S. that is often found on trees and can change from green to brown