Jamaican Turquoise Anole

The Anolis grahami (Norops chrysolepis), commonly known as the Jamaican turquoise anole or the Graham’s anole, is a small lizard species endemic to Jamaica, typically found in the island's moist forests. This anole species is easily identified by its striking turquoise blue coloring, which covers the upper surface of its body and contrasts sharply with its white belly. Males of the species are often more vividly colored than females, and both sexes can change color to some extent, depending on their mood and environment. Despite its bright colors, the Jamaican turquoise anole is relatively elusive and can be difficult to spot in its natural habitat. It is an arboreal species, spending much of its time climbing on branches and twigs, where it feeds on insects and other small invertebrates. Although it is not currently considered threatened, habitat loss and degradation are potential threats to the species' long-term survival.

Colorization

These lizards have a special ability to camouflage and change color when necessary. Under the anole's skin are pigment cells called chromatophores responsible for its usual coloration. Underneath these pigment cells are specialized pigment cells called melanocytes which contain the pigment melanin, in response to changes in the lizards hormones these cells can expand and mask the ordinary pigment cells, resulting in a change to a darker coloration, thus the anole is capable of changing its hue from bright blue, to varying shades of brown or almost completely black when stressed, often the end of the tail, and sometimes the trunk, remains colored during a color change. These lizards also have the ability to change the color of only one half of their bodies.