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Quick Facts

LIFESPAN: Approximately 5-7 years
SIZE: Up to 8” (20 cm) long
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: BEGINNER
Socialization & General Care

• Anoles are generally docile and inquisitive and can be easily handled with minimal socialization.
• Be certain to scoop them up from under the belly and support their belly in the palm of your hand.
• Allow your anole 3-4 days to adjust to his new habitat before handling.
• Anoles will shed their skin. The first sign of shedding is usually dulling of the skin (milky coloured).
• Anoles often eat their shed skin as it is very high in nutrients.
• Reptiles may transmit disease to humans; make certain to wash your hands after cleaning your pet’s habitat or after handling.

DID YOU KNOW? Green Anoles can climb walls.

Nutrition

• Anoles are insectivores, meaning that their diet consists solely of insects.
• Crickets should be their primary food source, however they will benefit from a variety of insects. Acceptable options are mealworms and waxworms.
• Insects should be dusted with calcium and vitamin D supplement as well as a vitamin supplement on a weekly basis. Juveniles will benefit from a twice weekly dusting.
• To dust crickets, simply add ¼ of a teaspoon of the calcium powder to a small plastic bag and shake crickets gently to coat them.
• Crickets should be fed a commercial nutrient-dense diet (gut-loaded) prior to being fed to your Green Anole. Putting pieces of vegetables (potatoes, sweet potatoes or apples) into your cricket enclosure will help provide the necessary nutrients.
• Insects should be offered daily to juveniles and daily to every other day for adults. Anoles should be allowed to eat until they are content.
• Never feed your Anole insects that cannot fit into its mouth all at once.
• To avoid accidental ingestion of substrate, food should be offered in a shallow bowl.
• Fresh water should be available at all times and food and water dishes should be cleaned daily.

Health Issues to Watch For

• Swollen joints and limbs
• Eating or drinking less
• Runny, discoloured or pungent stool
• Weight loss
• Gasping or forced breathing
• Discharge from nose, eyes or mouth
• Discoloured skin
• Shedding difficulties (skin stuck on toes)
• Seek veterinary care if you notice any of the above signs.

Fun Green Anole Facts

• • Green Anoles have adhesive lamellae on their foot pads for crawling along walls.
• Anoles originate from the Southern United States and the Caribbean Islands.
• Anoles are from the Iguanidae family.