Anolis equestris is a large arboreal lizard with the upper surface of the head developed into a bony casque (Collette, 1961) with distinct canthal and frontal ridges (Camposano et al., 2008). It is usually a brilliant green colour with both sexes posessing a pink dewlap (Collette, 1961) and yellow stripes below the eyes and others extending onto the shoulder (Camposano et al., 2008). In populations introduced to Miami, males were found to range from 100 - 190 mm snout to vent length (SVL) and females ranging from 90 - 160 m SVL (Dalrymple, 1980). Here A. equestris can be difficult to find until around mid-April, where they become more frequently seen until around the end of August (Brach, 1976). During this time, A. equestris can be frequently observed perching on trunks in a rigid and unusual posture; the head is always facing down towards the ground and the body is elevated away from the trunk using the front legs (Brach, 1976). The dewlap is not erected or displayed and the individual may stay motionless for up to an hour (Brach, 1976). This perhaps could be a thermoregulatory behaviour, with Schettino (1999; in Camposano et al., 2008) observing that A. equestris descends trunks during the warmest parts of the day to avoid sunlight.

The following subspecies have been recognised: Anolis equestris equestris Merrem, 1820; A. e. brujensis Garrido, 2001; A. e. buidei Schwartz & Garrido, 1972; A. e. cincoleguas Garrido, 1981; A. e. cyaneus Garrdo & Estrada, 2001; A. e. juraguesis Schwartz & Garrido, 1972; A. e. persparsus Schwartz & Garrido, 1972; A. e. potior Schwartz & Thomas, 1975; A. e. sabinalensis Garrido & Moreno, 2001; A. e. thomasi Schwartz, 1958; A. e. verreonensis, Schwartz & Garrido, 1972 (Reptiles Database, 2010).

Because of its green coloration and large size A. equestris as well as A. garmani are often mistaken for the introduced green iguana (Iguana iguana) in Florida, USA (Camposano et al., 2008; Kern, 2009). They are sometimes referred to as \"iguanas\" or \"iguanitos\" (Kern, 2009).

Anolis equestris is strictly arboreal, being only observed at heights above 15 feet and never on the ground by Collette (1961), and only observed to voluntarily come to ground level twice by Meshaka (1993), only to move rapidly to adjacent trees. Barbour & Ramsden (1919; in Collette, 1961) noted that the habitat of A. equestris in its native range consisted of orchards, palm groves and trees along roads.

Little is known of the reproductive cycle of Anolis equestris in its native range. Courtship and mating generally take place high in the tree canopy, and ovipositioning occurs in burrows excavated by females in the ground or in pre-existing tree cavities (Schettino, 1999; in Camposano et al., 2008). Nicholson & Richards (unpub. data) observed A. equestris mating in late March as well as early October while Meshaka (1993) observed mating during June through to August. Both of these reports were made from Miami.

In Miami, Florida, Anolis equestris has been observed in the field chasing and eating small insects and climbing up cherry palm trees (Pseudophoenix) to feed on ripe red fruits (Dalrymple, 1980). In laboratory conditions, A. equestris fed on crickets, cockroaches, and grasshoppers as well as smaller species of anole lizard (A. carolinensis, A. distichus and Norops sagrei) and baby rats and mice up to 40 mm in length (Dalrymple, 1980; Nicholson & Richards, unpub. data). Stomach content analysis of 18 individuals (9 male and 9 female) collected from the suburban Coral Gables area showed that 89 % of the food ingested consisted of small (most less than 15 mm) insects and spiders with the majority of lizards feeding on these. Furthermore, five of the individuals (four of which were male) contained fruit from Pseudophoenix and Ficus sp. (Dalrymple, 1980). Another stomach content analysis carried out in the same area found that three individuals collected from Ficus religiosa trees contained little more than unmasticated berries from those trees (Brach, 1976). A. equestris has also been observed feeding on tree frogs (Ruibal, 1964; in Dalrymple, 1980) and nestling birds (Brach, 1976). Although generally a sit-and-wait predator, individuals are known to travel from tree to tree using phonelines or running across the ground (Schettino, 1999; in Camposano et al., 2008).

While no invasive impacts have yet been recorded from introduced populations, Anolis equestris is a generalist feeder known to prey on small vertebrates such as nestling birds and similar reptile species including the native A. carolinensis in Florida (Brach, 1976; Dalrymple, 1980). Reports of predation may therefore begin to surface as A. equestris continues its spread throughout Florida, having already become estalished in at least 11 counties (Camposano et al., 2008).

Physical Control: Various methods have been used to catch Anolis equestris and other herpetofauna (Krysko, 2000). Camposano et al. (2008) used nooses made out of dental floss and attached to a long pole to effectively catch individuals. When these were ineffective, a fishing rod was used to cast food items close to the individual which was then reeled in easily after the bait was taken (Camposano et al., 2008). This fishing technique was first modified by Krysko (2000) from the technique of Camp and Lovell (1989; in Krysko, 2000). Krysko managed to capture almost 95 % of observed individuals using a 2 m fishing rod, a 2 kg monofilament line and a hook which had had its barb removed. Hooks were baited with dead dragonflies and positioned 15 cm from the end of the fishing rod; this was then presented to the individual. After taking the bait, the individual would be lowered slowly down from the tree where it could be quickly hand-collected and have the barbless hook easily removed. No negative effects or short or long-term aversion responses on A. equestris individuals were observed (Krysko, 2000). These techniques are reportedly effective and efficient for catching individuals for scientific study (Kryso, 2000; Camposano et al.A. equestris populations on a local scale. However, physical capture techniques such as these are generally labour-intensive over large scales and may thus be unfeasible for larger management projects for the control of A. equestris. More studies into the effectiveness of these tools for the population control of A. equestris and other introduced reptiles are needed.