How to Feed an Anole Green Lizard

Co-authored by Clint Bartley

Last Updated: October 9, 2024 Approved

Green anoles are common lizards found in the southern United States, but just because they are common doesn’t mean they are boring! Green anoles are fascinating animals and having one as a pet can be very rewarding. It is important to be informed and prepared when feeding your anole to ensure that your green friend will live a long and healthy life.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Getting Supplies

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1
Buy live prey. Anoles are insectivores, and crickets and other insects make up a large portion of an anole’s diet. Crickets are the most common meal for an anole, but it is important to provide a variety of live prey, including small mealworms, small roaches, fruit files, and other small insects to ensure that your green friend has a well-rounded diet. ^{[1]
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- Wild-caught, pesticide-free insects can be fed to your anole as well.
- Avoid feeding your anole superworms or king worms. The mandibles in these worms can cause injury to an anole. ^{[3]
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Be sure that the insects are no larger than the anole’s head so they are easy for the anole to catch and digest.

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3
Provide water. Using a spray bottle, mist the inside walls and the plants in the anole’s terrarium. Anoles often lap up dew on plant leaves. Some will lap up water in a shallow dish.
- If you place a water dish in the enclosure, be sure that it is shallow dish and that a plant stem or branch is placed in the water so the anole can escape from the dish if need be. ^{[4]
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Part 2

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Preparing an Anole’s Meal

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1
Build a cricket sanctuary. Crickets are the most common lizard meal. Since anoles eat live prey, it is necessary to care for the crickets and provide them with a healthy habitat. House the crickets in a plastic, well-ventilated container and place an empty egg crate or paper towel rolls in the container so that the crickets do not smother one other. ^{[5]
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- Keep the cricket container in a dry place and be sure that it is in darkness for at least 8 hours per day. ^{[6]
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- Place eggs crates or paper towel rolls vertically in the enclosure so that the crickets have tall structures to climb.
- Remove dead crickets as soon as possible. Crickets will, at times, eat the dead, which can lead to disease. ^{[7]
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2
Gut-load live prey. You are what you eat, and the same is true for anoles! Gut-loading describes the process of feeding your crickets and other live prey foods rich in protein, vitamins, and other nutrients so your pet will reap the benefits.
- Dry foods such as oats, mixed seeds and nuts, wheat bran, alfalfa, and fish food are great staples for a cricket’s diet.
- Be sure to provide chopped fresh greens and finely chopped potatoes and carrots to ensure a healthy cricket diet.
- Apples and oranges are great for hydration. Place a few chopped pieces of these fruits to avoid dehydration and cricket cannibalism. ^{[8]
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To guarantee that the anoles are getting the proper nutrients, dust live prey with a supplement powder that contains calcium and vitamin D3. This will help prevent metabolic bone disease, which is a serious bone degradation disease. ^{[10]
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Research source} Like gut-loading, dusting the prey with these extra supplements will benefit your anole’s overall health.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Feeding an Anole

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Young anoles should be given 2-3 food items each day. Adult anoles should be given 2-3 food items every other day. ^{[11]
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Anoles are diurnal, which means they are most active during the daytime. This is the ideal time for them to hunt their prey effectively and get some exercise. ^{[12]
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When feeding your anole, place the prey in the anole’s enclosure by gently dropping them from a food cup or by gently releasing the prey individually with feeder forceps onto the branches and leaves of the enclosure's vegetation.
When feeding worms to your anole, it is important to put them in a shallow dish so the anole can reach the prey. This also prevents the prey from escaping. ^{[13]
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If the anole does not eat the prey right away, place some food for the prey in the enclosure. Without food of their own, the prey may try to eat the only thing it can find—your anole! ^{[14]
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I caught my anole in the backyard, and I don't know if it had enough food. Can I feed him 2-4 that day?

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If he eats it all, then he is hungry for it, and you should therefore feed it to him.

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Do I give just one cricket all at once, then no more food for the rest of the day? Can I give my anole treats?

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You may give him whatever he feels like eating. He will stop eating when he is full. You may give him treats.

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Is it bad to hand feed my lizard?

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No, just make sure that your hands are clean.

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Vertically placed paper towel rolls can be great tools when harvesting crickets for your lizard’s meal. Remove the roll and gently shake the roll to remove the prey. ^{[15]
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Make sure you secure the enclosure lid after placing the insects inside so that they (and the anole!) don’t escape.

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Tips from our Readers

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Make sure to back up after placing food in its terrarium. Giving them space makes them feel more comfortable to hunt their food.
Always make sure your anole lizard is away from the opening of the terrarium before opening.

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Warnings

Be on the lookout for signs of hunger. If your anole becomes alert, flicks his tongue, raises his head when you approach the enclosure, or tries to bite or strike you, your anole may be hungry and require more food. ^{[16]
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If your anole is not eating properly and begins to lose weight, take your pet to a veterinarian. Your anole could have an infection, obstruction, parasite, or other disease. ^{[17]
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How to Feed an Anole Green Lizard

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Getting Supplies

Preparing an Anole’s Meal

Feeding an Anole

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