Used to play with lizards like this or very similar. They could turn green or brown as a kind of camouflage and their tails came off if you ever tried to grab them by it. Also they’d poo or pee on you or something when you caught them. Down in Louisiana, don’t know if I’m misremembering but this picture looks exactly like them. Thanks for sharing @alekwithak@lemmy.world, brought me some nice memories!
You’re not misremembering! I grew up in Florida and my mother used to tell me the lizards would flock to me as a kid when I went outside. I had so much fun playing with them! This is a green anole and it is a southeast native. They are also sometimes referred to as American Chameleons for their color changing ability. Unfortunately they are becoming rarer and rarer as the brown anole, native to Cuba and the Caribbean, and other invasive species are outcompeting them. A few years ago I lived back in Florida and as I kept a natural lawn my yard became a safe haven for these little guys. Unfortunately Florida is a political and literal hellscape currently and I had to leave, but the lizards are the only thing I really miss. Thanks for sharing the memory with me :)
Used to play with lizards like this or very similar. They could turn green or brown as a kind of camouflage and their tails came off if you ever tried to grab them by it. Also they’d poo or pee on you or something when you caught them. Down in Louisiana, don’t know if I’m misremembering but this picture looks exactly like them. Thanks for sharing @alekwithak@lemmy.world, brought me some nice memories!
You’re not misremembering! I grew up in Florida and my mother used to tell me the lizards would flock to me as a kid when I went outside. I had so much fun playing with them! This is a green anole and it is a southeast native. They are also sometimes referred to as American Chameleons for their color changing ability. Unfortunately they are becoming rarer and rarer as the brown anole, native to Cuba and the Caribbean, and other invasive species are outcompeting them. A few years ago I lived back in Florida and as I kept a natural lawn my yard became a safe haven for these little guys. Unfortunately Florida is a political and literal hellscape currently and I had to leave, but the lizards are the only thing I really miss. Thanks for sharing the memory with me :)