Winter Mortality in the Green Anole, Anolis carolinensis 

 (Lacertilia: Polychridae) 



Jane K. Distler 



Michael E. Dorcas 



J. Whitfield Gibbons 



Karen L. Kandl 



Savannah River Ecology Laboratory 



Drawer E 



Aiken, South Carolina 29802 



and 



Kevin R. Russell 



Department of Forest Resources 



Clemson University 



Clemson, South Carolina 29634-1003 



ABSTRACT- Winter behaviors of lizards are poorly documented. 

 Most available information pertains to the formation of aggregations to 

 escape freezing temperatures. During cold weather, lizards may seek 

 shelter under bark, felled trees, or rotting stumps. However, such refu- 

 gia may not provide adequate protection during abnormally cold condi- 

 tions. We discovered the remains of 12 adult green anoles (Anolis car- 

 olinensis) within a Carolina bay located on International Paper Timber 

 Company land in Marion County, South Carolina. The anoles presum- 

 ably were killed by severe winter temperatures during the winter of 

 1996. 



The winter behaviors of lizards have been poorly documented (Neill 

 1948, Weintraub 1968, Vitt 1974). Consequently, available information pertains 

 only to the formation of winter aggregations, apparently to escape freezing tem- 

 peratures. Several species of lizards are known to form these aggregations. Both 

 Hamilton (1948) and Neill (1948) described the occurrence of five-lined skinks 

 (Eumeces fasciatus) within felled trees and rotted logs and stumps. Worthington 

 and Sabath (1966) documented winter aggregations of tree lizards {Urosaurus 

 ornatus) within limestone outcroppings in Texas, and Weintraub (1968) 

 described aggregations of over 37 individual granite spiny lizards (Sceloporus 



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