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Submitted by Jeffrey Stilwell
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The Knight Anole (Anolis equestris) is a species of lizard in the Polychrotidae family. It is native to Cuba, but has been introduced into the Dade ,Broward and Palm Beach counties of Florida.
It grows to a length of 13 to 20 inches (33 to 51 cm) when including
the tail. It is the largest anole and is fiercely territorial.
Aggressive to anything that enters its territory, the knight anole will
face almost any intruder it perceives to be a threat (from a distance).
During its display, a lizard will sit high on all fours, gape
menacingly, turn green, and perhaps bob its head. Males will extend
their dewlap (a reddish-white flap underneath their chin), and both females and males will "puff themselves up" with air.
In captivity, their aggressiveness seems to lessen to a certain degree. In communal terrariums,
with other species of lizards, they rarely attack smaller lizards
unless they are hungry. Some even are able to be hand-fed, yet it
should be done between the safety of the screen, since their bite is
strong.
Knight Anoles are diurnal predators,
though by warming themselves on asphalt, rocks, or sidewalks, they are
able to predate slightly into the night. Their diet as a young anole
consists mainly of insects. As a large adult it eats larger prey like
tarantulas and other anoles.
External links
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Reptiles 
