| blue anole | |
|---|---|
| Gorgona Blue Lizard in the wild in Gorgona Island, Anolis gorgonae |
|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia* |
| Family: | Polychrotidae |
| Genus: | Anolis |
| Species: | A. gorgonae |
| Binomial name | |
| Anolis gorgonae Barbour, 1905 |
|
The blue anole (Anolis gorgonae) is a small, highly threatened species of polychrotid lizard.
Contents |
It is found only on the island of Gorgona, in Colombia.[1]
Both sexes of this anole are overall pure blue, which is very rare in lizards. The male's dewlap is pure white, which nicely contrasts with the blue skin. At least some individuals have a series of darker mottled spots on the head and neck.[2]
They commonly fall prey to basilisk lizards.
Due to the animal's isolated environment and elusive nature, it has been difficult to accurately estimate its population, but experts agree that the animal is threatened.[1] They are threatened by deforestation,[1] and the largest amount of damage to their habitat occurred when a prison was built on the island.[1] It has been proposed that some individuals could be captured for a captive breeding program.[1]
