They LOSE it…
their SKIN, that is!
Anoles [uh-noh-lees], as well as other lizards, grow continuously throughout their lives, but their skin doesn’t.
Therefore, they have to shed their skin regularly as their bodies get larger.
It’s interesting to note that they don’t shed their skin all at once, as snakes do.
You won’t ever come across a whole, intact lizard skin.
In fact, you will probably never see even part of a discarded lizard skin –
because they eat their skin as it is shed!
Some of these pictures aren’t very clear, because they were taken at a distance and not in very good light,
but this is the only time we’ve been able to catch an anole during the shedding process,
and I want to share.
This first photo was taken through a window, and includes the reflection of wooden blinds.
If you look closely, you can see the loosening skin under his chin and on his appendages.
The picture below gives a clearer view of the loose skin, especially under his chin…
…under his chin, on his torso, and on his appendages.
The skin on his left ‘leg and foot’ looks sort of like a latex glove!
This view shows the skin being shed from the right ‘arm and hand,’ as well as under the chin.
♦ ♦ ♦
For another interesting view of an anole in the process of shedding,
check out Carla’s blog post @ Watching NOLA Nature.
While you’re there, I recommend you browse through more of her great nature photos,
taken in and around her “urban oasis” of New Orleans!
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Thank y’all for stopping by to visit Little Things.
May your life be filled with little blessings, little chuckles,
and little deeds of kindness (both given and received)!
♦
The next time you hear the expression, “You are what you eat,”
you just might think of an anole!!
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