A native of the Caribbean and introduced into Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands in 1980, the Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei) has also managed to make its way to Maui, Kauai and most recently the Big Island, Hawaii itself. These insect loving reptiles are not overly popular with locals and are believed to have spread to and throughout the islands by plant nurseries and distributors. When a population of the more aggressive ‘browns’ takes hold, they will dislodge green anoles – also introduced to the Hawaiian Islands in the 1950’s. Brown anoles can grow to around 20cm including the tail, a little larger than the greens and they have a slightly different ‘dewlap’ which is more orange, rather than the pink of the green, with a yellow trim, as seen here in Maui. (See also Green Anole).
