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American Chameleon
Dimensions.—The measurements of an adult male specimen are given; the female is smaller, with a narrower and more pointed head.
Distribution.—Principally, the coastal region of the southeastern United States--in the northern portion of the range--from the Neuse River, in North Carolina, southward throughout Florida and westward to the Rio Grande, in Texas. Abundant in Mexico. Also found in Cuba, where it grows to a considerably larger size than in the United States.
Habits.—The American Chameleon acquires its name from the trait of changing colour to a remarkable degree. In this respect it rivals the true chameleons, of Africa. The most common hues of the Anolis are brown and green. It curiously displays the latter brilliant hue quite persistently in connection with conditions that widely differ. When sleeping, it is invariably pale green, the abdomen immaculate white. When pugnaciously fighting with its fellows, the same bright hue appears. If badly frightened, the green soon suffuses the entire body.
Distribution.—Lower California.
Distribution.—Southern Arizona to Mexico and Central America.
Distribution.—Deserts of the southwestern United States; Mexico.
Colouration.—Olive gray, or greenish above, with blackish crossbands on the forward portion of the body.
Dimensions.—Total length, 4 feet; length of tail, 32 inches; greatest width of head, 3 inches.
Distribution.—The Cape Region--Lower California.
Colouration.—Usually uniform black, above and beneath. Four specimens received by the writer were of an intense, jet-black; the crest of spines and the ringed, thorny tail, as polished as ivory.
Dimensions.—Like the preceding. (See measurements.)
Distribution.—Extreme southern Arizona, to Central America.
Habits.—If cornered, a large, Spiny-tailed Iguana is a really dangerous creature. The brute's offensive powers are quite in keeping with its looks. Sombre in colouration, powerful of body, the head thick-set with swollen jowls, the eyes dark and keen with blood-red corners and, to add to the general fighting aspect, the formidable tail; this appendage bristles with coarse spines.
A superficial glance at this lizard shows it to closely resemble the outlines of a young alligator--in miniature. The head is proportionately large and very distinct from the neck, but the tail is long, round and slender.
From all other North American lizards--except the geckos--this species may be immediately told by the formation of four of the toes on each foot; these are expanded, flattened and form adhesive pads; they enable the animal to traverse smooth, vertical surfaces with the same facility as the geckos.
The body is covered with minute scales, above and beneath; they are larger on the head and tail. On the top of the head is a ridge-like prominence of shape similar to a javelin head and pointing toward the snout. The skin of the body is rather loose and hangs in a fold at the throat; with male specimens, this fold is dilatable into a "fan," and when fully expanded shows a bright red skin between the scales separated by the distension.
In proportion to the reptile's size, the limbs are long, particularly the hind pair. They are more developed for jumping and climbing than for running over the ground. Compared with the diameter of the orbit, the eyes are very small; this condition is caused by the surrounding skin or eye-lids, giving the eyes an independent, rolling movement and, consequently, great scope of vision.
Owing to the varying hues, no definite colour or pattern can be applied to the species. The colour varies according to the mood of the individual from different shades of brown into emerald green; during the darker phases, there is usually a pale, clouded band on the back. The colour changes are described under Habits.
Total Length . . . . . 7 1/4 inches.
Length of Tail . . . . . 4 7/8 inches.
Length of Head . . . . . 3/4 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 7/16 inches.
Length of Hind Limb . . . . . 1 5/8 inches.
At other times, the lizard may be of a dark, rich brown. This is often the hue assumed in the brighest hours of sunlight.
In collecting these lizards and placing them in wire-covered boxes the writer has always noted their change from various hues, prior to capture, to a scrambling collection of several dozen emerald green lizards. If the gauze cage be laid down for half an hour or so while the collector rests the lizards soon take on a brownish tinge, but as soon as the box is again carried about, and the occupants are shaken up and frightened, the brilliant colour appears among them all. During the early morning or as the afternoon wears away, the prevailing tints are slaty or yellowish.
The change of colour is rapid. A dark brown example will fade to a pale leaf-green within three minutes time. During the colour changes the varying hues are striking; the brown gives way to a beautiful, golden yellow; this, in turn may fade to slaty gray and a general peppering of white dots appear over the back.