The Green Anole is one of the most common pet lizards in the world, but unfortunately, many suffer from a lack of care because their owners do not know how to best provide for their anoles. Many anoles may seem unhealthy or sickly, but are simply the victims of inadequate care rather than disease.
The first and most important part of caring for pet anoles is to make sure that their habitat is appropriately set up. Glass and plastic aquariums are ideal for anoles, but it is easy to put too many in one aquarium. As a general rule of thumb, every anole needs about 10 gallons of aquarium space to feel unconstrained. Perhaps the most important part of the anole's aquarium is the presence of ample climbing spaces. Most pet stores sell plastic leaves that can be hung from the top of aquariums to simulate trees. Anoles are tree lizards and will not be content without some virtual trees on which to spend most of their time. Since the anoles need to descend to the ground to hunt, it is also a good idea to leave a strand of the plastic leaves hanging down to the aquarium floor. Some anoles also enjoy rocks for basking, but won't use them unless they are near their climbing leaves. This is because anoles associate the ground with danger, and leaves with safety; they prefer to stay near their safe areas if they can.
The aquarium substrate, the soil and bark at the bottom, is also very important for anoles. Many owners assume that since the anoles stay off the ground most of the time, they can just toss in some bark for show. However, putting some black soil underneath the bark is important for two reasons. environmentally, potting soil retains a lot of moisture and thus helps maintain high humidity in the aquarium, which is important for subtropical lizards like anoles. Also, when pregnant, anole females need soil in which to bury their eggs or they will be forced to abandon the eggs on the bark. Anoles frequently breed in captivity, so this is actually a common concern.
In order to keep the aquarium a comfortable environment for the anoles, it is necessary to keep track of both humidity and temperature. Maintaining a relatively consistent temperature between 75 and 85 degrees during the day is important for the health of the anoles. Humidity is best maintained by misting the inside of the aquarium a couple times every day with a water bottle. The anoles will drink the mist off their leaves and the sides of the aquarium since they do not like to drink water from dishes.
Light and darkness are very important for anoles as well. It is very important for the lizards to get ultraviolet light every day or they will quickly become pale and unhealthy. Although it is possible to simply place the aquarium in direct sunlight, it is advisable to purchase from a pet store a special light bulb that emits the same spectrum of light as the sun. Also, since anoles are sensitive to the length of the day, it may be best to buy a timer that automatically turns the light on and off at set times each day. Make sure that the light does not overheat the aquarium and only place it over half the aquarium. The unlighted half of the aquarium gives the anoles a shady place to hide when they want to cool down. Since lizards are cold-blooded, they cannot control their body temperature. The only way for them to cool down is to move to a cooler area of the aquarium.
Anoles can be very interesting pets; they are intelligent, lively, and have a great deal of personality. They will live for years as long as they are provided with these basic necessities of life. |
