Male Banded Tree Anole (Anolis transversalis) - Rio Sucusari, Loreto, Peru

The Banded Tree Anole (Anolis transversalis) stands out, not only owing to its size and beauty but also because the females are as strikingly colored as the males. Reaching about 25cm (10 inches) in length, these delicate tree dwellers are restricted to lowland rainforests in the Amazon Basin. They are active by day, hunting for insects in small understory trees where they live. When threatened they tend to clasp a branch and press tightly to it, remaining motionless and relying upon their cryptic green coloration for protection. By night they can be found asleep in the same position. The striking eye colors make them a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts visiting to the region.