Anoles - Advice?

[ckay87]

My boys have been begging for a reptile forever. Finally gave in and got them a little green anole because I hear they are relatively easy to care for. Aside from having to deal with crickets, he's really a fun little pet so far.

My question is mainly regarding lighting and heating. I've heard and read all sorts of different things about this from they need nothing to they need several different heat/light sources. Doesn't help that I don't really understand it myself.

Also, how easily do they escape? I know they move extremely fast, but when this guy is held, he just sits there and seems to enjoy the body heat.

If anybody has had these for pets, I'll take any advice you have.

 

[jennyl772003]

I would probably get the little bugger a heat rock and a UV light. Since he is a reptile, they need the warmth. They will bask on the rock. That should be it then.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Congrats on your new little friends.

You'll want a basking light for heat and a UBV lamp (Vitalite is a good one). The basking light emits heat and the UV light simulates the natural sunlight. You'll also want to get a nighttime light to regulate nighttime temps, though some just use the Vitalite for both.

If your house gets cold at night and in the winter, you should also keep a heating pad (a human heating pad works fine) UNDER the tank, on one side. That way half the tank is warm and half is cooler and the anole can chose where it wants to be.

Heat rocks and heated caves are not really good for anoles, because they tend to actually overheat and cause burns. These are better suited for larger reptiles. Please do not put a heat rock in with your anoles!

You will want to also put logs and branches in his tank. They are aboreal animals and they like to be up high. Just make sure they are not climbing up in the light source, they could get burned.

They can move very fast. I would keep the top of the cage clasped shut with clamps/ and only take them out in a room that is secure so they can't escape under a door or something.

What sort of set up is he in?

Other important things to know....is your anole a male/female? Right now you just ahve one, but keep in mind that two males can not live in the same tank.

Check his color. If he is brown most of the time, it could be a sign of illness.

Good luck!

Sheri

 

[tar heel]

We have an anole -- Waldo. He started out in a high school biology classroom with three other anoles. He was always hidden, thus the name Waldo.

He's a great little pet. We have a couple limbs of artificial leaves in his tank, which are his favorite places to sit. We spray them with water a few times a day with a WDW trip mister fan. We keep his bright light on in the day and turn it off at night when we go to bed. He also has a log and a little bark thing he can crawl under.

Waldo is really fast. We rarely take him out of his tank b/c we feel confident he would escape.

He recently shed his skin -- that was an interesting thing to see.