Hispaniolan gracile anole

The Anolis distichus, commonly referred to as the bark anole or Hispaniolan gracile anole, is a captivating lizard belonging to the Anolis genus. Native to Hispaniola and the Bahamas, it has also established a presence in Florida, where it was first observed in 1946. These lizards are often found perched on tree trunks.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Anolis distichus is its diverse coloration. These lizards can exhibit shades ranging from gray-brown to green, with dewlaps (the flap of skin under their throats) that can appear cream-white, yellow, orange, or red. In Florida, the most common variants are gray-brown with cream-white dewlaps, although greenish individuals with red dewlaps bordered in yellow are also occasionally seen. These anoles are relatively small, growing up to about 5 inches (12.7 cm) in length.

There are numerous subspecies of Anolis distichus, some of which may even warrant classification as distinct species due to their unique characteristics. Below is a list of the subspecies, arranged alphabetically: A. d. distichus, A. d. biminiensis, A. d. dapsilis, A. d. distichoides, A. d. floridanus, A. d. juliae, A. d. ocior, A. d. patruelis, A. d. sejunctus, A. d. suppar, and A. d. tostus.