Q&A for How to Care for Green Anole Lizards

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  • Question
    How can you tell if an anole is male or female?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Male green anoles are generally larger than the females and have bigger heads, and they tend to display a red dewlap and do “push-ups” when threatened, especially by another male. Some males also have a crest on their back, while females might have a distinct line or stripe running down the middle of their back. Males have two large, bulging scales on their underside, near the base of the tail, which are not present in females.
  • Question
    Will anoles kill each other?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, anoles are aggressive and can seriously harm or kill each other if you’re not careful. To prevent this kind of aggression, keep anoles separate or house a single male with several females. Don’t try to keep multiple males in the same tank or cage.
  • Question
    Do green anoles need a heat lamp?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Anoles are cold-blooded, so they will need some kind of heat source. A heat lamp is one of the best options, but you can also use a heating pad under the cage or install an infrared heating panel.
  • Question
    When my anole bites, how do I get my hand out of its mouth without injuring the lizard?
    Community Answer
    Just leave it there until he or she lets go. If not, you might harm the lizard's jaws.
  • Question
    Can I feed my wild green anole fruit? As its main diet?
    Community Answer
    Not as its main diet. If it will take some, it can be a lovely supplement, but anoles are carnivorous by nature and require meat proteins from insects.
  • Question
    How do I capture my lizard if he gets loose?
    Community Answer
    Slowly, walk up to it, put a jar or a container with a cover in front of the lizard, tap it gently on the tail, and then it will run into the jar or container. Close the jar or container, and then put the lizard back into its tank.
  • Question
    Can I feed them veggies? if so, what kind?
    Community Answer
    No, they only eat some fruits (peach, banana) and live crickets.
  • Question
    How painful is their bite?
    Community Answer
    Not very painful. If it bites your finger, it will only feel like a small pinch. However, it is a good idea to wash the bite area with soap and warm water after being bitten. You can also use an antiseptic, and see a doctor if you notice anything wrong with the bitten area.
  • Question
    How can I feed a blind green anole?
    Community Answer
    You can try hand feeding it and rub the cricket around its snout carefully, so the anole can feel it.
  • Question
    Is it normal for my Green Anole to be turning brown?
    Community Answer
    Green Anoles often change color to adapt to their surroundings. If your Anole looks brown, he may just be blending in with his surroundings, which is normal. Alternatively, they sometimes turn brown to absorb heat; your enclosure may be too cold.
  • Question
    What temperature do I need to set the house on?
    Community Answer
    Green anoles need about 70 degrees during the day and it shouldn't drop below 60 degrees at night.(Fahrenheit).
  • Question
    How many eggs do anole lizards they have?
    Community Answer
    Well, that depends on your particular lizard. Anoles lay their eggs in clutches over a period of time. In the first clutch, there is one egg, rarely two. Throughout the breeding season (April to September) the anole will lay about 12 eggs, but the last one or two are usually infertile.
  • Question
    Has anyone had their green anole turn an almost red color? Mine does fairly often, but usually only when I am near the cage. I think he is challenging me. He bobs his head and extends his dewlap while staring at me.
    Community Answer
    Yes, sometimes an anole will turn red when too hot. And a lizard challenges its owner sometimes too.
  • Question
    What size of crickets should I feed my lizard?
    Community Answer
    A suitable lizard size for your anole would be small to medium. Large crickets can overpower, bite and even eat/kill your lizard.
  • Question
    If the temperature in my room stays near 70 degrees Fahrenheit, do I still need a basking light?
    Gabe
    Community Answer
    Yes, the average temperature of the tank should be 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. The basking area should be about 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Question
    What does it mean when they bob their heads up and down and stretch out their dewlap?
    Community Answer
    Males often stretch out their dewlap because they are either trying to attract a female anole or defending its territory from another male saying "hey this is my territory, you better stay away!". And why do they bob their heads? Because the male is trying to show off, he thinks he is attractive!
  • Question
    What happens if the tank is too small?
    Community Answer
    Your lizard's growth could be stunted if it's living space is too small. It could also become stressed or ill, particularly if you're housing many lizards together.
  • Question
    My anole lizard has brown wrinkles on his nose, should I be concerned?
    Community Answer
    If it usually doesn't have wrinkles on its nose, then you should be concerned. Taking it to the vet would be a good idea.
  • Question
    Which types of anoles bite less, green or brown?
    Community Answer
    Green anoles because most brown anoles like the Cuban brown are very fierce and will bite you and it will hurt.
  • Question
    I recently found a tiny brown anole, about two inches long. What should I feed it?
    Community Answer
    Anoles eat small insects like ants and crickets. Though you could catch them on your own outside, it can be difficult to make sure they haven't been contaminated with pesticides. As an easy alternative, you can purchase ants or crickets from the pet store.
  • Question
    How do I clean the branches and rocks before putting them in the tank?
    Community Answer
    Just use soap and water or vinegar and warm water -- or use a reptile friendly cleaner.
  • Question
    How big do the crickets have to be?
    Community Answer
    The crickets should be small enough that your anole can easily eat them.
  • Question
    What will happen to the lizard if you do not have the proper equipment to care for it?
    Community Answer
    Your lizard might get sick. If it does, make sure you take it to the veterinarian. If too sick, your lizard might die.
  • Question
    I found an anole that my cat was torturing. I think he's in shock. How can I make him comfortable? Can I give him anything for pain?
    Community Answer
    Try putting him in a cage with a blanket, and try hand feeding it some food. You can bring him to a vet or a pet store.
  • Question
    How do I tell if it is a boy or girl?
    Community Answer
    If it has a dewlap under its chin, it's a male, and a male is usually a little bigger than the female. The female is about 3-5 inches, while the male is 6-8 inches.
  • Question
    Does it need any special lights?
    Community Answer
    Yes, go to your pet store and ask for reptile basking lights. Make sure you get the right amount of wattage and get both night and day light bulbs.
  • Question
    My brown Bahama anole just developed white circles around his eyes. What's happening to him?
    Community Answer
    It's probably an early sign of shedding. If it persists, you may want to find a vet that specializes in reptiles.
  • Question
    How active is a green anole supposed to be?
    Community Answer
    Each individual lizard will be different, but in general, they should be quite active. They will have periods where they are more relaxed and slow though, particularly in winter.
  • Question
    What if your lizard is shedding?
    Community Answer
    That is completely normal for anoles and all sorts of lizards. They shed; don't be worried!
  • Question
    My green anole is alive, but doesn't move. It wakes up, but it shuts its eyes every 5 seconds. What's wrong?
    Community Answer
    If you're holding it, it's probably getting warm and sleepy because your hand is warm. If it does this at all times, it may need more food.
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