• Book An Appointment
  • Visit Our Online Pharmacy
EMERGENCY LINE: (803) 438-1223
HealthFlex
×
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Our Team
    • Office Tour
    • Awards and Acknowledgements
    • AAHA Accreditation
    • Cat Friendly Practice
    • Fun Photos
    • Featured Products
  • Services
    • Veterinary Services
    • Pet Lodging / Boarding
    • Integrative Medicine
    • Online Booking
  • New Patient Center
    • Online Forms
      • New Patient Registration
      • Pet Lodging / Boarding Form
      • Medication Refill Request Form
      • Canine Annual Wellness Form
      • Feline Annual Wellness Form
    • What to Expect
    • Pet Insurance/Vet Resources
    • Online Pharmacy
    • Appointment Booking
    • Payment Options
  • Reviews
  • Contact
    • Appointment Booking
    • Emergency
  • News

Green Anoles

April 4, 2018GSDaccess333Choosing Your PetLizardsReptilesVeterinary Topics

Profile

  • Species: Anolis carolinensis.
  • Sometimes also called American chameleons, although they are not true chameleons. They can do a color change from green to brown, especially when stressed.
  • Quite readily available in the pet trade.
  • Life span averages around 4 years, although they can live longer (up to 8 or more years if well cared for).
    Adult length of around 8 inches (including tail) in captivity (typically slightly larger in the wild).
  • Males are larger than females and have a large dewlap (flap of skin) on the throat that is used in behavioral displays.
  • Usually inexpensive to buy an anole, but the equipment needed to set up a proper tank is quite costly.
  • Reasonably easy to care for if you can set up a proper tank.
  • Can be very stressed by handling, and can drop their tails if grabbed by the tail.

Setting Up the Tank

  • Anoles can be housed in a fairly small tank – a 10 gallon is sufficient for a single anole, or perhaps a pair. Larger is better, and if housing multiple anoles, lots of space is necessary. You should only keep one male anole per tank. Females will get along fine, as long as the tank is roomy enough and there plenty of basking spots and places to hide. A secure fitted lid is necessary.
  • Substrate/furnishings: A substrate of peat moss and soil with or without a layer of bark (e.g. orchid bark) is an ideal substrate for anoles. Live plants help maintain humidity and provide cover – try Sansevierias (snake plants), bromeliads, philodendrons, ivy, orchids and vines. Pieces of bark and branches should also be provided for climbing and basking.
  • Temperature: during the day, provide a gradient from 75-80 F (24-27 C) with a basking spot of 85-90 F (29-32 C). A combination of under tank heating and a basking light on one side of the tank works well. Make sure the appropriate temperature gradient is provided by measuring temperatures in various spots around the tank. Night temperature can drop to a gradient of 65-75 F (18-24 C). Do not use basking lights to achieve night time temperatures – use heating pads and/or ceramic heating elements.
  • Light: in addition to the incandescent basking light, provide a full spectrum UVA/UVB light for 10-12 hours per day.
  • Water and Humidity: a humidity level of 60-70% is necessary for anoles. This can usually be achieved by misting the inside of the tank daily. It is a good idea to measure the humidity level to make sure it is adequate for anoles. Misting systems are available although they are quite expensive. If you are having a hard time maintaining the humidity level, try covering part of the top of the tank and/or increasing the number of live plants. Misting also provides drinking water for the anoles as they often will not drink from a bowl (they will lick droplets of water off the misted plants).

Feeding

  • Anoles are insectivores and are generally good eaters.
  • While crickets can be the main part of the diet, it is best to feed a variety of insects. Wild caught insects can be offered as well, if pesticide free.
  • Crickets must be gut loaded with nutritious food prior to feeding.
  • Feed appropriate sized prey items – about 1/2 the size of the anole’s head is a good guideline.
  • Can usually feed every other day, and 2-3 appropriately sized items per feeding.
  • Crickets and other prey should be dusted with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement.

Categories

  • News
  • Newsletter
  • Uncategorized
  • Veterinary Topics
    • Bringing Your Pet Home
    • Choosing Your Pet
      • Birds
      • Ferrets
      • Horses
      • Rabbits
      • Reptiles
        • Lizards
    • Client Survey
    • Finding Your Pet
    • Living With Your Pet
      • Saying Goodbye
      • Travel
    • Newsletter Library
    • Pet Selector
    • Pet Wellness Program
    • Pets4Kids
    • PetTV
    • Today's Veterinarian
    • Vetopedia
    • Video Newsroom
      • Health Topics
      • Other Interests
      • Technology and Science
    • We Help Your Pet With

Latest Articles

  • Your Pet’s Annual Physical Exam Apr 5

    Is it that time of year again? Your pet’s annual...

  • Blog Archive Apr 5

    Blog Archive 2016 Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr...

  • Halloween and Mr. Whiskers Oct 11

    Posted on 10-11-2012 For weeks now stores have been lining...

803-438-1223

vmsvets@gmail.com

https://vmsvet.net

196 HWY 601 South Lugoff, SC 29078

Quick Links

Visit Our Online Pharmacy

Our Services

Emergency

Contact Us

Book An Appointment

Latest News

  • What it means to be AAHA accredited and why it’s a big deal. Apr 4

    Veterinary Medicine and Surgery is proud to be AAHA accredited! ...

  • Spay/Neuter Your Pet Apr 4

    Spay/Neuter Your Pet By spaying or neutering your pet, you’ll...

  • Canine Heartworms: Easily Preventable, Difficult to Treat Apr 4

    Canine Heartworm Disease     The summer months are upon us, and...

Copyright © 2019 All Rights Reserved, Veterinary Medicine & Surgery.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Designed by Greene Street Designs