Reptiles
Knight Anole
Anolis equestris · also called Cuban knight anole
High in the canopy of a mature Florida oak, a knight anole extends a large pink dewlap toward a rival, a Cuban import so much larger than the native green anoles below it that the two barely register as belonging to the same kind of lizard.
Overview
The knight anole, Anolis equestris, is a large, robust lizard native to Cuba and now well established as an introduced species across forested parts of Florida. Its considerable size, genuinely strong bite, and habit of preying on smaller lizards set it apart from the far more familiar anole species most people picture.
A giant among a mostly small-bodied family
Most anole species are small enough to overlook entirely, but the knight anole breaks that pattern completely, growing large enough and bold enough to prey on the smaller anole species it now shares Florida’s treetops with.
Status
Least Concern — stable within its native Cuban range and well established as an introduced species across much of Florida.
Knight Anole: common questions
How big does a knight anole get?
The knight anole ranks as the largest anole species found in the United States, capable of growing to well over a foot in total length, a considerable size compared with the much smaller green anole and brown anole that share much of its introduced Florida range.
Does the knight anole eat other lizards?
Yes, a knight anole feeds on large insects along with smaller lizards, including other anole species, and will occasionally take small birds or eggs when the opportunity arises, making it a genuinely significant predator within the trees it occupies rather than an insect specialist alone.
What is the pink flap under a male knight anole's throat?
A male knight anole extends a large, brightly coloured pink dewlap during territorial and courtship displays, a conspicuous visual signal used to warn off rival males and attract potential mates, a display behaviour shared broadly across anole species though the knight anole's dewlap is notably large.
Is the knight anole native to Florida?
No, the knight anole is native to Cuba and has become established as an introduced species in Florida, where it now occupies forested and suburban habitat with mature trees suited to its arboreal, canopy-dwelling lifestyle.