16th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Camouflaged Golfo Dulce Anole

The golfo dulce anole is extremely common on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica, but their incredible ability to camouflage themselves amongst the jungle flora never ceased to amaze me. This little lizard, known for the males' brightly colored dewlap used for attracting females, can be found clinging motionless to tree branches or leaves. And this individual had curled his body around to perfectly mimic the counters of this dead leaf.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 04.2017
Date Uploaded: 09.2018
Photo Location: Carate, Costa Rica
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Copyright: © Ben Blankenship