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ArtistIn times of climate change, the anole lizards (Anolis carolinensis) living in cities in Puerto Rico look quite different than their forest-dwelling counterparts. The lizards i9n urban habitats have evolved longer limbs and more toe lamellae – the fine scales on the bottom of their feet – to allow them to scale buildings and sprint across hot surfaces. These traits are believed to help them better cling to smooth human-made surfaces like glass and metal. Behavioral or genetic changes enabling animals to adapt to climate change or, indeed, to urban habitats can happen over very short timeframes, sometimes just a few generations. Wildlife is dramatically accelerating its pace of adaptation in what is known as “contemporary evolution.” The image is an exquisitely detailed National Geographic quality close-up illustration showing three small, green anole lizards scaling a glass window on a modest high-rise building. The style is a biological illustration with extreme scientific precision, drawn as line art in bold colors.
Anole lizards in urban habitats have evolved to more easily scale glass with more toe lamellae and sprint across hot surfces with longer limbs.