Green anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are small, but they tend to have some interesting and complex social behaviors. One very interesting aspect of their behavior is how they use their dewlaps, or throat fans. In green anoles, both males and females have dewlaps, but the females tends to be smaller and less colorful and the males extend theirs much more frequently than females do. Both sexes will extend the dewlap if they feel threatened or endangered. It acts as a warning to other lizards in the area as well as making them appear larger. Males also use their dewlaps to warn other males out of their territory and to help establish a territory in the spring. Often when they are using the dewlap for this function, they also bob their heads and//or do push-up as well. Finally, dewlap extension can be used to help attract a mate. Apparently, larger and more colorful dewlaps are considered sexy in the lizard world. Actually, larger and more colorful dewlaps are important for establishing better territories, so it’s not surprising that it is also important in choosing mates. This lizard was in the process of warning off another male when I spotted him while I was birding in my back yard. I’ve tried to capture anoles with their dewlaps extended before and never been too successful, so when I saw him extending it repeatedly, I went into burst mode and managed to get several shots. This was my favorite, so I hope you like it, too.