Anole
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anolis carolinensis (Green), Various others |
| Origin | Southeastern United States, Caribbean |
| Size | 5-8 inches (including tail) |
| Lifespan | 4-8 years |
| Temperature Range | 75-85°F (24-29°C) |
| Humidity | 60-80% |
| Enclosure Size | 10-20 gallon vertical |
| Care Level | Beginner |
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Temperament | Skittish, Display Animal |
Recommended for Anoles
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ZooMed - UVB and misting systems | ExoTerra - Vertical terrariums | Fluker's - Small feeder insects | Repashy - Calcium Plus
A display lizard with a short clock
Anole on a pet-shop cup is usually a green anole, Anolis carolinensis. Brown anoles and a few Caribbean species get the same label. Size lands around 5 to 8 inches including the tail, they usually last 4 to 8 years, and care is beginner. Beginner only means the gear list is short. Wild-caught adults still die of stress in a dry tank on a windowsill.
They need a vertical 10 to 20 gallon cage, temperatures of 75 to 85°F with a warmer basking spot, humidity of 60 to 80 percent, and UVB. Insects dusted with calcium are the diet. They drink droplets off leaves more reliably than they find a bowl. A misting routine is part of feeding. Males extend a throat fan. That fan is a threat to another male, so give each male his own cage.
Captive-bred if you can find them
Most cheap anoles were caught outside. They carry parasites and they panic when grabbed. The tail breaks off as a defense and does not grow back the same. Watch them. Handle almost never. A planted cage with a tight lid is the whole hobby. Released pets and released brown anoles are an outdoor problem in places where they are not native. Do not dump the tank.
A lizard that stops eating insects for several days needs the not-eating page and, if it stays limp, a vet from ARAV.
Anole questions
Which anole is the pet-store lizard?
Usually the green anole, Anolis carolinensis. Brown anoles are a different species. Other anoles show up under the same name. Care is similar and the animals are not interchangeable pets for a crowded tank.
Why did my green anole turn brown?
Green anoles change color with temperature, mood, and health. Brown is not automatically dying. A lizard that stays dark, sits with its eyes closed, and ignores insects is the one to worry about.
Can two males live together?
No. Males display and fight. One male per cage. Females can sometimes share a large planted tank if you watch for a bully.
Decision Guides for Anole
Use these only when comparing food, insurance, ownership budget, or beginner fit for this specific pet.