Nature Field Guide
Big-headed Anole
- Spanish name
- Anolis de cabeza ancha / Anolis jaspeado
- Scientific name
- Anolis capito
What Do Pico & Tati Think?
Pico: “What clues help us recognize this reptile?”
Tati: “Let’s notice its shape, markings and habitat from a respectful distance.”
Species overview
About the Big-headed Anole
This anole has a relatively large head and a sturdier build than the slender anole. Its mottled brown, olive or greenish appearance can make a resting animal difficult to separate from the surrounding bark and moss.
It lives in shaded forest and may perch low on trunks or move near the ground. A large head is a useful clue, but it is not a reason to handle the lizard. Photograph its natural posture from the trail and compare the image later.
Identification
Key Features of the Big-headed Anole
Broad relatively large head
Mottled brown, olive or greenish body
Stout build and bark-colored camouflage
Habitat & range
Shaded Caribbean-slope forest and southwestern rainforest; also documented in humid forest at Rincón de la Vieja.
Local observations
Native reptile recorded in Costa Rica. Presence varies with suitable habitat and locality.
When to observe
Visibility varies with weather, habitat and the animal’s activity. Observe on an appropriate guided outing; never disturb a hiding animal to obtain a sighting.
Conservation & care
Observe with an adult from permitted paths. Do not catch, chase, touch or feed reptiles. Leave bark, logs, rocks and leaf litter in place. Keep pets away and allow animals an open escape route.
Threats & pressures
Protect habitat connections and natural shelters. Avoid road mortality, collection and deliberate killing. Leave reptiles in their habitat rather than keeping or relocating them.
Observation activity
Find three colors in the illustration that also appear on the tree bark.
Explore by location
Caribbean · Central Pacific · Guanacaste · Northern Plains · South Pacific · Alajuela · Guanacaste · Heredia · Limón · Puntarenas · San José