I used to see them at pet stores in California when I was a kid, and more recently in Oregon. Do these guys really live outdoors in zone 7?

I've never heard of them living in this part of Alabama.

we have lots of them running around here, however cant tell male from female

I agree about the cats. We had a bunch of them along with toads and geckos until we got three cats. I saw my first anole in years last week.

You can come trap all you want at my house! ((grin)) We are nearly overrun with them...from 6-8" long to a tiny one I saw today about 1 1/2" including the tail.

That's what my lizards are called. Wow, thought they were just lizards.
We have them everwhere also. Live in our sunroom. Kids always play with them outside.

When I was a kid, I had one that used to sleep beside me on the side of my bed where the mattress was smaller than the bed frame. I named her/it "Liz".... creative huh?
Didn't realize they ate THAT many mosquitos.

We also have the red & black/Brown kind of maroon looking lizard things that are larger and beefier than the "anoles" (I think they are call skanks... but not sure). Wonder what they eat. They don't like to come inside too often).

Funny stuff.