Download Article
Download Article
Do you have a green anole lizard as a pet? By spending time with it, handling it delicately, and feeding it by hand, you may be able to make it a relatively tame pet. However, these delicate lizards are typically best as display pets that you can enjoy without touching. [1] X Research source
Steps
-
Give your lizard time to acclimate to its surroundings. When you get a new green anole, you should not try to handle it right away. Give it a few weeks to get used to its new surroundings before attempting to pick it up. [2] X Research source- Allowing your lizard to get used to its surroundings will minimize the animal's stress and fear when you do try to pick it up.
- Provide hiding places within your lizard’s vivarium. This may help your lizard to manage its stress, which in turn may help it adjust to the new surroundings more quickly.
-
Feed the lizard by hand. In order to get a green anole lizard used to you, begin feeding it by hand. Provide crickets, meal worms, or store-bought maggots and roaches to the lizard. You can even feed it grasshoppers or other wild insects that you catch yourself. This will show the lizard that you are not to be feared and that you will supply it with the food that it needs. [3] X Research source- It may take some time for the lizard to take the food directly from your hands. Offer it, and if the lizard doesn't take it, release the food into your lizard's tank for it to eat on its own.
Advertisement -
Interact with the lizard regularly. Spend time interacting with your green anole daily so it can get to know you. This will make it feel safer and more willing to be handled. After a period of normal interactions, such as feedings and cleaning its tank, your green anole should get used to you and allow you to touch it. [4] X Research source- Try to pet the lizard gently on the head to check if it approaches you. Be warned, however, that the green anole may try to bite you when you first start interacting with it.
-
Limit your expectations. Most green anoles can typically become comfortable enough with a person to be fed by hand or held. However, it is very rare that they can be taught to do tricks or follow commands. Getting it to sit on your hand or shoulder will be a great achievement. [5] X Research source- Focus on increasing your lizard's general comfort with you, instead of trying to get it to follow your commands or to do tricks.
Advertisement
-
Wait for the lizard to approach you. Because green anoles are delicate lizards that can be injured by rough handling, it's important that you let it come to you instead of grabbing it up roughly. This can take some time, as the lizard may be fearful of you. [6] X Research source- Make sure your anole is in a friendly mood when you try to pick it up. If you have a friendly, loving anole, then you can interact with it often. If not, leave it alone.
-
Use gentle handling. If you want to get a firm hold on the lizard without it getting injured, put your thumb on its stomach and your pointer finger on its back. It will likely wiggle, but don't hold the lizard to firmly. A firm hold can injure the lizard greatly. [7] X Research source- Because green anoles are delicate lizards, you should supervise children who handle them. Without supervision, a child could inadvertently injure your lizard.
-
Watch for signs of comfort. The anole's eyes will begin to close if it is comfortable on your hand. If it is a male, its throat flap will fold back up and it's mouth will close. This is a sign that it's a good time for you to hold it without it biting you.- A male anole that it puffing up its throat may be showing you that it thinks you are a threat. If your lizard is doing this, don't try to pick it up. [8] X Research source
-
Wash your hands after handling. Lizards can carry a bacteria, viruses, or fungus on their skin, such as salmonella. This can be hazardous to humans, so it is important to wash your hands after handling them. Use antibacterial soap and hot water to make sure that your hands are thoroughly cleaned. [9] X Research source- You can also wear gloves when handling a green anole to protect your hands and to keep germs off of you.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Reader Videos
Tips
- Green anoles are easily frightened. If you see one in the wild and you want to get a closer look at it, approach it slowly.Thanks
- Do not use chlorinated tap water the green anole, as it can get sick and die.Thanks
- Do not tap on the glass of your habitat for your anole or else it will get stressed.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Do not feed your anole any wild-caught food that you aren't sure is safe! Do your research first to make sure that the specific bug you caught isn't poisonous or potentially harmful to your anole.
- If you have very long finger nails, consider clipping them before handling your lizard to avoid scratching them.
- Remember to always be gentle and respectful toward your lizard! It is a living animal, not a toy.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- If a green anole tries to bite you, don't panic and just stay calm. If it does bite you, don't jerk away. This will likely result in breaking its jaw. Instead, wait for the lizard to release its grip on its own.Thanks
- Green anoles do best in the wild. Don't try to capture one in the wild and hold it as a pet, as this will decrease its lifespan dramatically.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Care-Sheets/Green-Anole/
- ↑ http://www.nhptv.org/natureworks/greenanole.htm
- ↑ http://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/reptile-care/anole-care-guide/A0160.html
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 89,749 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "I had just got a pet lizard and I tried to feed it with tongs. I also put some food around the tank, along with some live food. I didn't know if I was feeding him the wrong things but now I know I am not, thanks!" ..." more
Advertisement
90%
of readers found this article helpful
.
Click a star to add your vote
% of people told us that this article helped them.
"I had just got a pet lizard and I tried to feed it with tongs. I also put some food around the tank, along with some live food. I didn't know if I was feeding him the wrong things but now I know I am not, thanks!"
..."
more
"Helped me teach my husband the proper ways to care for his anole. And to respect and look out for the ones in our backyard. Thank you."
..."
more
"This article helped me because I have green anoles and when I have a question about green anoles, I can look on this."
..."
more
"This article helped me a lot with my anole. His temperament towards me is now better than ever."
"I have 9 green anoles and I am trying to get them to like me."
