The green anole is a small, agile, diurnal lizard native to the southeastern United States, able to shift between green and brown and known for the male's pink throat fan, or dewlap.
It is inexpensive and widely available, but its small size belies genuine husbandry needs.
Anoles are fast, fragile and easily stressed, with a tail that drops when grabbed, so they are best treated as a watch-don't-touch species.
They live only a few years and are often kept poorly in bare tanks.
A well-planted, correctly lit vivarium lets their natural behaviour show.
Housing
House anoles in a tall, well-ventilated, heavily planted vivarium of at least 45x45x60 cm for one or a small group, with abundant branches, vines and foliage for climbing, basking and hiding.
Vertical space and dense cover reduce stress in this arboreal species.
Provide a basking spot of about 28-32C under a heat lamp with a cooler gradient below, and a UVB source, as anoles are diurnal and need it for calcium metabolism and to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Maintain humidity around 60-70% by misting once or twice daily; they drink droplets from leaves rather than from a standing bowl.
Diet
Green anoles are insectivores that eat a variety of small, gut-loaded live insects such as appropriately sized crickets, fruit flies, small roaches and black soldier fly larvae.
Prey should be no wider than the space between the eyes, and active hunting is part of their enrichment.
Dust insects with calcium regularly and with a vitamin/D3 supplement on a measured schedule to prevent both deficiency and excess.
Feed most days, adjusting for body condition.
Mist surfaces so they can drink, since dehydration is common when keepers assume a water bowl is enough for this droplet-drinking species.
Health
A healthy anole is alert, brightly coloured when relaxed, well-muscled and active during the day.
Metabolic bone disease from inadequate UVB or calcium is the most common serious problem, alongside dehydration, stuck shed from low humidity, and stress-related colour darkening and hiding.
Because they are small and secretive, weight loss and illness can be missed, so observe appetite and body condition closely.
A dropped tail regrows imperfectly and is a sign of rough handling.
Persistent dark colour, lethargy, sunken eyes or a soft jaw should prompt a visit to an exotics vet familiar with small lizards.
Temperament
Green anoles are quick, alert and entertaining to watch, with males displaying dewlaps and territorial push-ups.
They are not handling pets; they are easily stressed, dart rapidly and can drop their tails, so interaction should be limited to maintenance and observation.
Socially, males are strongly territorial and must never be housed together, as they fight and display constantly.
A single male with one or more females, or a small group of females, can work in a large, well-planted enclosure with multiple basking and hiding spots, provided you watch for bullying and stress.
A good fit for
Keepers wanting an active, affordable display lizard
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate
Intermediate