The green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) is an adorable little lizard that is commonly kept as a pet. This lizard is a pet that will keep you entertained with its witty behavior during the day and its beautiful colors which are very pleasing to the eye. While caring for this type of lizard requires commitment, it is quite easy to care for as long as you create a suitable habitat, provide adequate food, and keep a check on their health.
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Part 1 of 2: Creating a Suitable Habitat
Step 1. Use a 40 liter terrarium as a lizard habitat
Depending on the number of lizards to be kept, the volume of the terrarium used will of course be different. A 40 liter terrarium can provide enough space for 2 lizards. For a larger number of lizards, increase the volume of the terrarium by 20 liters for each lizard.
- For example, if you are going to keep 5 lizards, the terrarium you use must be at least 100 liters in volume.
- Always use a terrarium cover. Other pets (such as cats) are very interested in 'playing' with the green anole lizard, the lizard can die if it escapes from the terrarium.
Step 2. Place the terrarium 2 meters off the ground
Wild green anole lizards usually live in high places, such as trees or other high places. Placing the terrarium 2 meters off the ground is a good way to imitate the lifestyle of lizards in the wild and prevent the lizards from becoming restless.
- This is especially important if you plan to keep lizards in a part of the house that is quite crowded with people passing by. If the lizard is placed in a high enough habitat, it will be less agitated when small children or pets pass by.
- Consider buying a tall terrarium as these lizards love to climb tall things.
- The best way to ensure that your terrarium is secure is to place it on a solid surface, such as a thick wooden table.
Step 3. Fill the bottom of the terrarium with soil, tree bark, or moss to a height of 5 cm
Fill the bottom of the terrarium evenly with 5 cm thick substrate. Since this type of lizard is not a type of lizard that likes to dig holes, the substrate you make does not have to be too deep. Use soil, tree bark, or moss as a substrate to ensure that the terrarium in which your lizard lives is sufficiently moist.
- If you are using tree bark as a substrate, make sure the bark is large enough to prevent the lizard from choking on it trying to swallow it. The bark of the tree should be larger than the head of the lizard.
- Never use unsterilized tree bark. Consult your veterinarian or pet store clerk before purchasing.
Step 4. Place objects that can be climbed or used for sunbathing in the terrarium
Make sure you place some plants (real or artificial) and things the lizards can use to bask in the terrarium. Objects that the lizard can use to climb, such as tree branches, are also suitable for placing in the terrarium.
- If you keep more than 1 lizard, provide enough sun space so the lizards don't fight. For an ideal habitat, provide at least 1 basking area for every 1 lizard. If you only keep 1-2 lizards, 1 basking area will suffice.
- Lizards of the opposite sex will be stressed if placed in the same terrarium except during the breeding season. Consult a veterinarian regarding this matter.
- Place the plant safely in the terrarium where your lizard lives. If you want to know which plants are safe for green anole lizards, talk to your veterinarian or a pet shop employee. You can find a list of plants that are harmful to reptiles at:
- If you place real plants in your terrarium, make sure they don't contain pesticides. If you feel that the plant you are planning to place contains pesticides, wash it under running water to remove the poison.
Step 5. Make sure the temperature in the terrarium is 24 to 30 °C
Anole lizards usually live in environments with temperatures ranging from 24 to 30 °C. The basking in the terrarium should be around 32 to 35°C. At night, the terrarium temperature should be 20 °C and not less.
- Use 2 thermometers, placing one on the top and the other on the bottom of the terrarium. This is done to observe the temperature in the terrarium.
- A 40-watt incandescent lamp can provide a suitable temperature during the day, but must be turned off at night and replaced with a black lamp.
Step 6. Keep the terrarium humidity at 60%-70%
The green anole lizard is a tropical lizard that lives in warm and wet climates. Spray water on the substrate as well as the plants in the terrarium to keep them moist and make the lizard habitat feel more tropical.
- Place the hygrometer on the side of the terrarium to measure the humidity level.
- You can also use a simple irrigation system to get the humidity level right.
Step 7. Light the terrarium with UVB light for 14 hours every day
Green anole lizards must be exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) light to combine vitamin D3 and ensure a smooth metabolism. Use UVB light to illuminate the terrarium for 14 hours every day to keep the green anole lizard healthy.
You can also dry your terrarium outside when it's sunny and above 21 °C to expose the lizards to UVB rays. Make sure the top of the terrarium is covered so that the lizards cannot get out or be eaten by other animals. You can dry the terrarium in the sun as long as the temperature is high enough. Make sure there is a cool place in the terrarium
Step 8. Clean the terrarium weekly to keep the lizards healthy
Reptiles kept in terrariums are susceptible to diseases caused by bacteria and accumulated dirt. Therefore, it is important for you to care for and clean the lizard's residence regularly every week. Use soap or dish soap to clean the inside of the terrarium, including the dining area and decorations inside.
- Make sure you first move the lizard to a safe and covered area when cleaning the terrarium.
- The substrate at the bottom of the terrarium only needs to be changed every 6 months unless it looks very dirty or smells very strong.
- Never use cleaning products containing phenol to clean a terrarium. Reptiles cannot tolerate this type of chemical.
- Any leftover food that is not eaten should always be removed after the lizard's feeding time to keep the terrarium clean.
- To make cleaning easier, try placing a sheet of plastic at the bottom of the terrarium before inserting the substrate. This way, you can clean the soiled substrate in one fell swoop and prevent stains from building up on the bottom of the terrarium.
Part 2 of 2: Feeding, Observing and Holding the Green Anole Lizard
Step 1. Feed the lizard 2-3 insects once a day
Anole lizards are insectivorous animals that like to eat small insects such as crickets, hongkong caterpillars, or small worms. Provide 2-3 insects for young lizards every day and every other day for adult lizards.
- To feed anole lizards, simply place any living insects where the lizards can see them in the terrarium. When feeding your lizard worms, place the worms in a bowl so they can't escape or hide.
- Lizards should also get adequate intake of vitamins and calcium; Since the anole lizard eats insects that are developed as food, all the nutrients the lizard needs must be present in the insect. If you keep a large number of crickets, give them a vitamin-rich diet before feeding them the lizards. Therefore, all the nutrients that come from the food of these crickets will move to your lizard.
- You can also sprinkle a powdered supplement on the crickets to ensure that the lizard gets enough calcium and vitamins.
- Avoid feeding food that is more than half the size of your lizard's head. Also, avoid feeding your lizard German caterpillars because these insects have strong lower jaws and can hurt the lizard.
- Anole lizards can also eat fruit flies, small worms, canned crickets, small spiders, or earthworms. Quick prey such as cockroaches and flies can also be given so that the lizard gets enough exercise.
Step 2. Provide adequate water by spraying the plants in the terrarium 2-3 times a day
Anole lizards prefer to drink water droplets that fall from plants. To allow your lizard to drink this way and to make sure it gets enough water, use a spray bottle to spray the lizards and plants in the terrarium for 10 seconds 2-3 times each day.
If you prefer to use a small bowl instead of spraying the plants in your terrarium, make sure the bowl is shallow enough. Anole lizards can sink in a bowl that is too deep. The water level in the bowl should not exceed the height of the lizard
Step 3. Observe the health of the green anole lizard
Diseases that are very common in anole lizards come from overcrowded habitats (the lizards will fight) and vitamin deficiencies. Always be on the lookout for symptoms of a vitamin deficiency, such as lethargy, weight loss, or a runny mouth and nose. Don't forget to give the lizard nutritious food or vitamin supplements so that the lizard gets enough vitamin intake
- Other symptoms of vitamin deficiency include swelling, bumps or sores on the skin, shortness of breath, and paralysis. Visit your veterinarian as soon as you notice these symptoms in your lizard. Remember, the vet must be an exotic veterinarian.
- Symptoms of fighting male anole lizards are usually sores or bite marks that appear on the head or back.
- Some anole lizards can also get an infection in their snout. This infection can be removed by carefully applying a cotton swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide or an antibiotic on the lizard's snout. Consult a veterinarian to find out which products are suitable for use.
- A dirty terrarium can also increase your lizard's risk of health problems. Make sure you clean the terrarium weekly, control the humidity levels, and quickly remove any mold that has grown. When cleaning the terrarium, move the lizard to a tank or other clean area.
Step 4. If interested, try adopting more than one green anole to breed
While anole lizards can live solitary lives, and caring for one lizard is certainly easier, you can adopt more than one anole for breeding (or to make your terrarium habitat more attractive). If you want to breed anole lizards, adopt 5 lizards consisting of 4 females and 1 male.
- As spring draws to a close, breeding female anole lizards will lay eggs every 2 weeks if they are in a very humid environment. You can leave the eggs in the terrarium until they hatch (usually within 2 months) as long as the air is moderately humid.
- Remember, if you want to keep more than one male anole, your terrarium must be large enough to allow the lizards to move away from each other. Male anole lizards tend to be territorial and aggressive towards other male lizards.
- Newly hatched anole lizards require twice as much food intake as adults. Make sure you provide plenty of small, vitamin-rich insects for the newly hatched anole lizards.
- Keep in mind that not everyone agrees that anole lizards can coexist with other lizards in a closed terrarium that doesn't allow the lizards to move away from each other. Some people think that anole lizards should be kept in a different place. This will make the lizard feel more comfortable, and still be quite natural. Therefore, lizards will be healthier and less stressed if they live in a different terrarium.
Step 5. Do not handle green anole lizards too often and do so with care
Anole lizards can be held and allowed to eat food on your hands. Anole lizards can sit on your hand when given a treat, but don't hold two anole lizards in the same hand. It's a good idea to let the lizard climb into your hands on its own to avoid stressing the lizard too much. Also, remember that the anole lizard is a fast and agile animal, so don't hold it where it can escape. Overall, the anole lizard is a pet that should be kept to look at rather than to be held, so don't handle it too often.
- If you must move the anole (to feed it or when cleaning its terrarium), do so gently. Hold the lizard firmly, but gently and move it as soon as possible.
- Don't forget to always wash your hands after handling green anole lizards. In addition, don't forget to wash your hands after handling objects or decorations in the terrarium to prevent the spread of salmonella bacteria.
- Anole lizards may bite when handled. Do not be afraid! The bite is very soft and doesn't hurt. Try not to overreact and pull your hand when the anole lizard bites as this can accidentally hurt its jaw
Tips
- All of the suggestions presented in this article can be applied to other anole lizards (there are about 300 species and subspecies of anole lizards). However, brown anole lizards prefer a more territorial habitat than green anole lizards (use a wider terrarium).
- The anole lizard only stores fat in its tail. Therefore, the fat-tailed anole lizard is a lizard that eats enough.
- Although this type of lizard is quite cheap, remember that its needs are not cheap. These lizards require special heating lamp settings, weekly crickets, vitamin supplements, and special feeding techniques. This type of lizard terrarium should also be cared for and cleaned every week. Make sure that you have enough money to cover all of the green anole lizard's needs before adopting it.
- Always check the cleaning products used to clean the terrarium. Make sure that the product does not contain harmful chemicals as these can hurt or kill your lizard (and any animals exposed to the chemical).
- Male lizards will usually chase the female lizards during the breeding season, but it is usually the female lizards who determine when to mate and approach the male lizards. A female lizard being chased by a male lizard can become stressed. Therefore, move the male lizard to another place during the breeding season so that the female lizard is not stressed.
Warning
- Using a UVB lamp does not eliminate the need for vitamin supplements, and vice versa. The insects that the lizards feed on must contain all the nutrients a lizard needs!
- Remember that most of the light and heat that anole lizards need comes from sunlight, so a source of heat from below is very unnatural for the lizard.
- UVB lamp is important for anole lizard calcium intake. Without UVB, the lizard will weaken and eventually die. Always remember to replace the UVB lamp every 9-12 months.
- Anole lizards do not have a good immune system. Always check the food and do not give food that contains pesticides because the anole lizard has almost no white blood cells and is very susceptible to illness.
- If you're not familiar with the insect you're giving your lizard, find out first to see if it's poisonous or has a stinger. Wasps, bees, wolf spiders and scorpions are not suitable food for anole lizards. Even when the anole lizard doesn't want to eat it, these insects can still hurt your lizard if it's in a closed enclosure and close enough.
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Always be careful when heating the terrarium:
- Avoid heating stones (heat rock). This tool will usually overheat, causing burns or even death.
- Do not use hot rocks; anole lizards like it very much, but this tool can burn the inside of the lizard due to overexposure to the heat.
- When using an infrared lamp, ensure that the lamp is not placed above the terrarium. Many anole lizards die from overheating because of this.
- Do not use a heating pad. This tool can cause a fire if used with the wrong terrarium arrangement.
