Average Size: Adults only 5inch to 7inch long

Lifespan: 2 to 4 years.

Hygiene and Health: Like many reptiles, Anoles will refuse to eat as the stress becomes stronger so if you are attempting to try to hold your Anole make sure to give them 2 weeks in a new encloser before doing this. Be advised that although they are small, they do carry a hard bite for their size. Its important that you do give them time to get used to you by moving in slow and not pulling any sudden movements that will freighten them. If they do bite never shake one off of you or jolt your hand back because you could break a tooth off. Instead bring it down so its feet are touching the ground of its reptarium encloser. Its rare that it will attack, as it should only bite in fear. Also, be careful not to pull it from your shirt or a vine too hard as you could pull a claw off. There is not much hygiene responsibility. Keeping the reptarium clean is a must. If there's any dead half eaten food remove it along with waste. Every month you should fully clean the reptile encloser using just warm water.

Behavior: Anoles have a fairly good ability to change colors in order to hide in the atmosphere they live in. Although its not as dramatic as other reptiles such as the chameleon, its still very interesting. Like other reptiles they also are known to drop their tail in a time of fear. In most cases the tail will grow back but will look much different than the original. They do have some interesting characteristics such as during their breeding season the dominant male could form black dots on its head.

Diet: Anoles will eat many different feeder insects that you give them. Be sure that what they are eating is not more than 1/2 the size of their head. It is safe for them to eat crickets, mealworms, wacworms, butterworms, and some will also eat little pieces of fruit. It is important that food is always available so its good to have a cricket walking around in the cage at all times. Do not put too many or they may swarm the anoles and kill them. Also be sure to Gutload the food you are providing. You can purchase gutload calcium at Pembina Valley Pets in order to make sure that your Anole is getting the protien it needs to digest its food. Anoles will also eat wild caught insects such as moths but be careful that the insect is not toxic as it could kill them (Fireflies are toxic).

Habitat: Using reptile sand, sticks, and plenty of fake plants to create a natural setting is what they need in order to be healthy and happy. If you feel that you are not getting the humidity that is recommended then do not use reptile sand and switch to something such as Eco-Earth dirt.

To survive healthy Anoles need to live at a 60-70% humidity rate. In order to do this you just need to mist the encloser twice per day. They will drink from the leaves in the tank as sometimes they do not often drink from a bowl. If you find there is too much humidity then ease up on the misting, and if you find that the tank is drying up really fast try covering 1/2 of the top aquarium screen with cardboard. They require a basking area at 85-90F for the daytime to 65-75F at night. They also need a full spectrum UVA/UVB light for 1/2 the day as well.

Loner or Groupies: In general, Anoles are not aggressive lizards but males will have disputes with other males if cages together from time to time. Some species also show aggression looking into mirrors as well. It is safe to have males together in the same encloser but make sure that the area is large enough or it could cause a few fights. You could have different species of Anoles together such as 2 green and 2 brown anoles but be sure that they are the same size and that there isn't a small minority of species in there (such as 2 greens and 1 brown). Some species of Anoles such as the Knight Anole will just eat smaller anoles without thinking twice so make sure they are the same size when housing more than one.

Anoles can be either alone or paired in groups. Keeping a single male with females is probably the most easy to avoid the problem of them competing with each other. The rule is that you can have 1 anole per 5gallon of a tank. If you are housing 4 anoles's then a 20gallon will suit fine but there must be more hiding places for them to have access to. Also they require taller reptariums as opposed to long one's.

Additional Info: Anoles are beginner reptiles and although they do require the same amount of setup as an expensive lizard the cost is cheaper to maintain them. Anoles are fairly hardy reptiles once they do settle in their enviroment and are an interesting pet.

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