For decades, a glimpse of a lime-green lizard scurrying along a fence or basking on a warm brick wall was a staple of life in The Woodlands. These slender, vibrant neighbors were as much a part of our ecosystem as the loblolly pines.

Lately, however, you may have noticed that the familiar green lizards seem to be vanishing, replaced by a surge of bold, brown, patterned newcomers. Though it might feel like a localized extinction is underway, the truth is more complex. We are witnessing a lizard war in our own backyards, a fascinating study in urban ecology and species resilience.

If you’ve noticed small, quick brown lizards darting across patios, tree trunks, and fences lately, you’re likely seeing the Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei). Native to Cuba and the Bahamas, this species has steadily expanded across the southeastern United States, including Southeast Texas and The Woodlands.

So . . . are they bad?

Brown Anoles are considered a non-native species in Texas. That simply means they didn’t historically live here. They likely arrived through plant shipments and nursery trade decades ago and have adapted well to suburban landscapes.

Being non-native doesn’t automatically make a species harmful. However, Brown Anoles do compete with our native Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis). In areas where Brown Anoles become abundant, Green Anoles often shift higher into trees and shrubs to avoid competition. Interestingly, this has led to observable evolutionary changes. Green Anoles in some regions have developed larger toe pads to help them cling higher in the canopy.

The Woodlands is not a static ecosystem. Between development, climate shifts, and natural movement of species, our local environment is always evolving. Brown Anoles thrive in disturbed habitats, which makes suburban neighborhoods ideal for them. They eat insects (including ants, beetles, roaches, and small spiders), so they’re active participants in backyard food webs. They’re also prey for birds, snakes, and even larger lizards.

For most residents, Brown Anoles are simply another small reptile sharing our outdoor spaces. They are harmless to people and pets. Watching their push-up displays and quick sprints can be a fun backyard nature study for kids.

When you find an anole in your backyard, look for these distinctive traits to identify which species it is:

A cool fact about the Green Anole is that it can change colors! When a Green Anole is warm and relaxed, it displays that iconic emerald hue. But when it is cold, stressed, or engaged in a territorial dispute, the melanophore (a specialized pigment cell) expands to turn the lizard a muddy brown. This isn't just for camouflage; it is a physiological response to its environment. Because they can turn brown, many residents mistakenly believe they are seeing the Brown Anole, when in fact, they are looking at a Green Anole having a stressful day.

Brown Anoles aren’t villains—they’re part of the ongoing story of how ecosystems respond to human movement and change. Observing them offers a great opportunity to talk with kids about native and non-native species, adaptation, and how dynamic our backyard habitat here in The Woodlands really is.

If you’re seeing them in your yard, consider it a reminder: even in our manicured neighborhoods, nature is always adjusting and finding a foothold. If your family wants to support native species like the Green Anole, planting native shrubs and maintaining layered vegetation (groundcover, shrubs, small trees) helps create more vertical habitat space.

Cranebrook Park offers a wide range of recreational amenities, including a large interactive water park, two lighted tennis courts, a soccer field, a BMX dirt-bike track, a pavilion with picnic tables, and playgrounds for children of all ages.

The unique BMX bike track is a rare feature among The Woodlands parks. Kids of all ages will find this track interesting, whether they’re riding bikes or just running up and down the sandy slopes.

Kids can explore a variety of movements on the playground with slides, climbing ropes, swings, and monkey bars. The park also has a convenient, shaded seating area in between the different-aged play structures for parents to relax.

Location: 11800 Crane Brook Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77382  (View Map)

This newsletter provides information about the local ecosystem and resources to help families spend more time outside in nature in and around The Woodlands, Texas.

Have a recommendation for us to include in a future issue? Reply to this email and let us know!