What Supplies Do I Need to Keep an Anole Alive?

Green anoles or American chameleons are small lizards that need a big pile of equipment in order to stay alive. Originally from the Southeastern United States, Cuba and the Bahamas, anoles need aquariums that closely mimic their wild habitat. Because of the difficulty of breeding green anoles in captivity, those offered in the pet trade have been taken from the wild, a practice that upsets the delicate balance of nature in some areas. Taking animals from the wild is never a good idea as some anoles may never adapt to captivity.

  1. Aquarium or Terrarium

    • Aquariums or terrariums need to be at least 20 gallons large, recommends the Western New York Herpetological Society. Although green anoles are often sold as juveniles, they can grow up to 12 inches long. Never use plastic aquariums, as they will melt under the heat lights that anoles need to survive. Use acrylic or glass. Do not place the aquarium in direct sunlight or it will get too hot inside. Press a stick-on thermometer on one of the walls in order to monitor the temperature.

    Lighting and Heating

    • Green anoles need ultraviolet or UV lighting since this best mimics sunlight. Use fluorescent UVB, infrared bulbs, incandescent bulbs or mercury vapor bulbs in the UV light fixture. Position the light only over one part of the cage where the lizard can bask. Keep one part of the cage cool so the lizard has a place to cool off when hot. The basking area's temperature should be 85 to 90 degrees F while the rest of the cage should be 75 to 80 degrees F in the day and 65 to 75 degrees F at night. Never use heat rocks or pads sold for larger reptiles as these are too strong for anoles.

    Plants and Decorations

    • Anoles like to climb, so place in artificial branches made specifically for reptiles. Never use real branches that may have been sprayed with pesticides. Keep one spot under the light clear so the lizard can bask. This clear spot makes a great feeding place. Drop live insects like mealworms on the spot and, if hungry, the anole will launch off of a branch onto the bug. For bedding, use newspaper, paper towels, peat moss, ground coconut fiber, bark mulch or orchid bark. Change regularly as they get soiled.

    Water and Food

    • Mist the tank walls and decorations and the anoles twice a day with a small garden water sprayer. This helps keep the humidity levels high enough so the anoles will not dry out. Anoles do not dink from water bowls, unless the water is moving. Feed waxworms, mealworms, small cockroaches, fruit flies and baby crickets. Ideally, these insects need to be kept in their own enclosure and fed nutritious "cricket diet" so that their insides are full of vitamins and nutrients that are digested by the anoles.