(Anolis Roosevelti)

Data Collected By

Kassandra Buchholz & Cori Hurt

The Culebra Island giant anole comes from the family Iguanidea. Chapman Grant first described it in 1931 as a brownish-gray lizard growing to about 160 mm from its snout to the vent. The Anolis Roosevelti was named after Teddy Roosevelt, who was the governor of Puerto Rico at the time. Grant first saw the specimen when a small child on the island brought it to him. Then, in 1932 another specimen was collected by a local resident and brought to Grant. It was an adult specimen, which truly distinguished the two types of anoles found on the island from each other. That was the last specimen seen by a biologist. Since its discovery in the 30’s, the species has almost been ignored.

The natural history and ecology of the Culebra giant anole are unknown. The only reason the specie is still on the endangered species list is because of two specimens, which are located at the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology and at Harvard University. Many people who write on the Anolis Roosevelti believe that it is extinct. Mr. Dumas, who was the one who collected the species for Grant in 1931, claims to have seen one in 1973. However, the scientific community will not count this as a sighting because a professional did not make it.

The Anolis Roosevelti is a large anole with a length reaching 160 mm from head to tail. It is brownish-gray in color with two lines going down each side. One of the lines begins at the ear and the other begins around the shoulder. Both of the lines extend from their places of origin to the groin. On the temple of the anole there is a distinct light spot. The throat fan is gray at the top, turning yellow on the lower portion. The anole's eyelids are yellow and the tail is yellowish-brown in color. The underside (belly) of the anole is whitish. The tail of the anole is scalloped and supports a large fin along most of its length.

The species has only been found on Culebra Island, Puerto Rico. It was said to be originally found on the flamenco peninsula. The sad thing is that now that area has been deforested to make room for houses. This lizard is one that lives in trees and is restricted to the Ficus and Gumbo-limbo trees because they were the only ones that yield fruit in the area. These are the only trees found in the area where the anole lives. There are still some small patches of these trees located on the steep northern slopes of the island. Lately parties have gone out among these last remaining patches of trees, but these trips have not resulted in any new sightings.

In general, a male anole starts searching for a female to mate with by showing of his throat fan. When he finds the "gal of his dreams," he bobs his head up and down and extends his throat fan. If another male comes along and tries to impress the same female, the males have a war over her. After one of the males wins, the mating begins. The female lays one initial egg and then lays another every few weeks after that. These eggs are about the size of a pebble and the babies, when born, are not much bigger. After around a year and a half the little anoles will be able to start the mating process with their future husband or wife.

The Anolis Roosevelti has been seen feeding on the fruit of fig trees. Normal anoles, found out in the wild, also eat insects and smaller, younger lizards.

There is no exact evidence of predators for these anoles; however, potential predators are the lizards’ Ameiva exsul, which feeds on baby anoles. The snakes Alsophis portorcensis feed almost exclusively on lizards. Also, birds such as the falcon and hawk are potential predators.

The major causes of the depletion of the Culebra Island Giant Anole are the destruction of their living environment and pollution of their habitat. Since Culebra Island is now becoming a tourist attraction, people are bulldozing the forests. The home where the original Anolis Roosevelti was found has now turned into condos and hotels. Pollution is also a big factor in the extinction of the species. With all of the pesticides that are sprayed on the fields in Puerto Rico, the forests are also sprayed by mistake. This creates plants and fruits that have chemical imbalances. The Culebra anole eats the fruit or plant and is killed. With all of this destruction and pollution going on in Puerto Rico, the anole has a hard time living peacefully.

The recovery effort for the anole should proceed with additional efforts to confirm the existence of this species. Since we know so little about the natural habitat of the lizard we should make every effort to protect the last remaining stands of fig trees on the island. The recovery efforts should be continued until we can prove that there are still some anoles left on the island or prove that they are extinct. The Culebra Island Giant Anole can be considered "recovered" when the following are met:

1. Field studies have been determined that the species is still extant in the wild on Culebra Island.
2. These studies have identified the biotic and abiotic factors essential for the species continued survival.
3. Appropriate agreements between all government and private agencies and organizations and individuals have been formalized.
4. A management plan has been developed and implemented for this forest which will guarantee the continued stability of this habitat for the lizard.
5. A program for monitoring the lizard’s population to insure that the population levels are stable or increasing is established and functioning.

1. The United States Fish and Wildlife Recovery Plan.
2. Mara, W.P. Anoles. Mankato, Minnesota: Capstone Press, 1996.