Lizards

Although it may look rather bizarre to a human who is observing, throat puffing is a totally normal behavior for anole lizards. The family Polychrotidae notably includes both the green anole and brown anole species. Only male anole lizards engage in throat puffing, and generally only for sexual and territorial purposes.
Reaction to Danger in Anole Lizards

If a male anole lizard encounters something that he perceives to be a menace or danger, he will not hesitate to prominently fluff out his throat fan, which is also called a "dewlap." As he does this, he may also attempt to assert his status in a couple of other ways, including head nodding and moving sideways nearer to the source of danger. The "defeated" party in these cases generally displays his subordination by promptly leaving the scene.
Mating Activity in Anole Lizards

The mating season for anole lizards generally starts in the beginning of the spring and lasts until the very end of the summer. Throat puffing may be especially prevalent during those months, as it is a very common courtship behavior. In order to lure in females for breeding, male anoles frequently puff their throats out conspicuously as they engage in mating dances. The mating dances typically consist of push-ups, bobbing of the head and agape mouths -- the works.