| Pet owners are known to have fun with their pets, | | | | Oh, I forgot to tell you that I have two terrariums |
| such as cats, dogs, birds and so forth, but have you | | | | with the males and females separated. The |
| ever heard of anyone having fun with their pet | | | | terrariums are together on my dining room window |
| lizard? Sound strange? Not really, I'm sure there are | | | | sill. In each terrarium there is a small wood log that |
| quite a few lizard owners out there that can tell you | | | | leans up against the corner of the glass opposite the |
| some neat things about their pet lizards. And I just | | | | other terrarium. Zyrtek and Gigi have developed an |
| happen to be a pet lizard owner; therefore, I would | | | | afternoon romance where they will sit on the top of |
| like to tell you about my pet anoles. I have four of | | | | the log staring at each other. At time Zytek will do |
| them. | | | | his romantic thing and show his pink dewap (a flap |
| Green Anoles used to be referred to as chameleons, | | | | that protrudes from his throat.) The funny thing is |
| and many years ago were sold at fairs as pets. | | | | that when they hear me walk into the room or look |
| Unfortunately, no care instructions came with them | | | | into their cages, Gigi will act like I caught her doing |
| and I'm sure many anoles didn't live long after their | | | | something wrong and turn away from Zyrtek. It's |
| new owner brought them home. However, I'm not | | | | hilarious. Even when I come home and they hear me |
| writing about anole care because there are sufficient | | | | walk in I can see them move or go hide in the |
| online writings about that, as well as books. This | | | | leaves. Silly lizards, but yet they're smart. |
| article is about enjoying your anole. | | | | Zyrtek has me trained when it comes to giving him |
| Like I said, I have four anoles, two are male and are | | | | water. He likes his water directly dribbled in front of |
| wild, and the other two are female and were bought | | | | him, and when he is through drinking he will turn |
| in a pet store. Now, I didn't catch the wild ones; let's | | | | away. Some days he will stick his tongue out and |
| just say I inherited them from a friend who no longer | | | | touch it to the surface of the log or leaf, which |
| had the time to care for them. Fortunately, I had | | | | means he is thirsty. But he doesn't like me trying to |
| been caring for them off and on, so it wasn't an | | | | give him water when he doesn't want it. Laughing |
| instant "here these are yours" or a "what do I do | | | | yet? |
| now" situation. In fact, I grew attached to them over | | | | Also like I said, anoles are smart, especially Zyrtek. In |
| a short time period. Still I had a lot to learn about | | | | the mornings I will reach into the cage to grab the |
| these wonderful, smart and delicate creatures. | | | | food dish for the crickets in order to put fresh food |
| The two wild ones are Zyrtek and ZJ. Zyrtek with | | | | in it and to see if the lizards need more crickets. Well, |
| his long tail is about 8 inches long and he is a | | | | Zyrtek surprised me one morning. He had been |
| dominant, territorial male. ZJ is about 4 inches long, | | | | watching my routine for days and knew exactly |
| and is a different breed with a white stripe running | | | | what I was going to do first thing in the morning, so |
| down his back. He spends his time in the leaves hiding | | | | when I lifted the screen, he jumped out! Talk about |
| from Zyrtek. Yes, I know you're not supposed to | | | | being startled! Well, I know that Zyrtek doesn't like |
| have two male lizards in the same terrarium. | | | | hands, so I had to use my arms to corral him back |
| However, they were caught together and have been | | | | into the cage. He wasn't sure where he was going; all |
| in captivity together a year and a half, plus before I | | | | he knew was that he wanted out! Since then, I have |
| got them, in the winter time they would sleep | | | | let him get out on the edge of his cage, but he only |
| together to keep warm. And there are times during | | | | looks around and decides that there is no place to go |
| the day when they co-exist. It all depends upon | | | | and then goes back in. And some days he won't |
| Zyrtek's territorial mood. I'll come back to them in a | | | | even come out! Now that is what I call a smart lizard. |
| moment. | | | | My anoles are always doing something that makes |
| The two females are GiGi and Princess. Gigi is the | | | | me laugh. For example: They know my voice, and I |
| dominant one, has a white stripe at times, and when | | | | will sit at the table and talk to them. Gigi and Princess |
| she is stressed, she displays leopard like spots. | | | | will look around trying to see where I'm at, but can't |
| Princess has a white stripe that shows a little, and | | | | see me unless I move. It's funny to watch them |
| she is shy. Yet, the two sleep near each other at | | | | wonder where I'm at. Well, there are many more |
| night. | | | | stories I can tell you, but I will end here. |
| Now, that I have given you a brief description, let | | | | If you have anoles or plan to get one or more, first |
| me get into the fun part. I talk to my anoles as I | | | | of all make sure you know how to care for them, |
| would a puppy. They respond to a kind voice, and at | | | | and can afford to do so. Secondly, have fun with |
| certain times during the day will sit and listen to me | | | | them, talk to them, and spoil them. Use objects that |
| talk to them. Zyrtek will sometimes crawl up a leaf or | | | | they are familiar with such as leaves (fake ones will |
| sit on his perch just to listen to me. When he is | | | | do) or a small stick or bark if you want to get them |
| content he will even wink at me. Yes, I know that it | | | | out of the tank to clean it. Your hands are a threat |
| sounds silly, but he does. Gigi will allow me get close | | | | to them and will stress them out. A healthy and |
| and she will be still and listen to me talk to her. The | | | | happy anole should live long. Have fun with your |
| other two, will listen, but only from a distance. Again, | | | | anole! |
| it depends on what I call their "mood swings". | | | | |