| The green anole may seem like an ideal, inexpensive | | | | An anole will typically eat live crickets (which should |
| pet, but that's not quite true. While the lizard can be | | | | be fed vitamins for the lizard's benefit) and |
| inexpensive to buy, it's the maintenance that can get | | | | sometimes mealworms. You can try feeding it live |
| pricey, and maintaining any lizard's habitat and health | | | | caught insects (avoid pill bugs, fireflies and beetles), |
| isn't exactly simple. | | | | but be certain they are free from pollutants and |
| Anoles are often (incorrectly) referred to as | | | | pesticides first. |
| chameleons or geckos. Although they can change | | | | The average anole can live up to seven or eight |
| colors (from a bright green to brown), they aren't | | | | years in captivity, and adults can grow up to eight |
| true chameleons. They can be kept singly or in a | | | | inches in length. They're not terribly high maintenance, |
| group, though males can become territorial and can | | | | though the equipment needed for their habitat |
| fight with one another if kept in captivity together, | | | | (heating pads, plants, day and night light sources) can |
| so it's better to have one male and a few females if | | | | become expensive. Also, be sure you're able to |
| you wish to house a group of anoles. | | | | acquire live feeding crickets easily for the anole. |
| Habitat requirements for the green anole are a | | | | Anoles can make good pets for children as they're |
| minimum ten-gallon tank for a few anoles, larger for a | | | | not aggressive, although handling them can be |
| bigger group. They require a tropical setting with a | | | | stressful to the pet, and if handled not gently |
| temperature of about 75 degrees and 70% humidity, | | | | enough, they can bite. Some anoles become |
| with plenty of plants and branches. A heating pad | | | | comfortable with human contact, but it is generally |
| may be required to maintain a higher temperature | | | | stressful to them to be held. |
| and a humidity gauge is a good idea to be sure the | | | | As with any "exotic" pet, be sure there is a local |
| humidity level is good for your pet. The habitat | | | | veterinarian who is capable and willing to work with |
| should be misted with water often (a few times per | | | | your pet should an emergency or illness occur. Also, |
| day) to provide water for the lizards, as they won't | | | | as with any pet purchase, research is a good idea |
| typically drink from a water dish. Misting will also help | | | | before getting a new pet. Make sure you're prepared |
| keep the humidity at a satisfactory level. Light should | | | | to care for and provide for a new addition to your |
| also be provided for the anole, about 10-12 hours per | | | | family. |
| day with a full spectrum basking light. | | | | |