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.