How to Make a Brown Anole Habitat Outdoors

Brown anoles are a small species of lizard that are very popular in captivity. They are easy to take care of and can make great pets for beginning reptile keepers. Setting up a habitat for one or more anoles requires little effort and may be placed outdoors. Your anole also will benefit from the UV rays that the sun will provide if you place its habitat outdoors.

Things You'll Need

  • 10-gallon tank with screen lid (or larger)
  • Coconut fiber bedding brick
  • Grape driftwood
  • Plastic plant
  • Water dripper
  • Heat lamp
  • 75-watt heat bulb
  • Spray bottle
  • Thermometer
  • Calcium with vitamin D powder
  • Live crickets
  • Heating pad (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the coconut fiber bedding brick into a 5-gallon bucket with about 4 inches of water. This will expand the brick to its full size within 20 minutes or so. Place about half of the bedding in the bottom of your tank, making sure it covers the bottom evenly. Store the unused portion of the coconut fiber in a plastic bag away from heat. Dry out the unused bedding first by spreading it out on a flat surface, preferably in the sun. This will prevent mold from growing in it while it is not in use.

    • 2

      Find a place outside where you want to place your tank. Do not place it in direct sunlight, as this may cause potential overheating and possibly death. Place the grape driftwood and plastic plant in the tank, where they will provide the best places to climb. Affix the thermometer to the side of the tank halfway up where it is easily visible. This will help you regulate the temperature inside the habitat.

    • 3

      Secure the lid to the tank properly. Fill the water dripper and affix it to the top so that it will drip into the tank. Do this by setting the water container on top of the lid and cutting a small hole large enough only for the tube of the drip system to fit through. Feed the tube through this hole about 1 inch deep. Place the heat lamp with the 75-watt bulb attached to it on top of the lid so that it points downward through the lid. The heat lamp only needs to be on in order to maintain the required temperature for your anole. If the temperature outside is warm enough, such as during most of the summer, you do not need to use the heat lamp.

    • 4

      Spray the inside of the tank twice a day with a spray water bottle to provide humidity. Feed each anole four live crickets every other day. Dust the crickets with calcium and vitamin D powder before feeding them to your lizard by placing 1/4 tsp. into a container with the crickets and shaking them so that the crickets become covered in the powder. Drop the crickets into the tank and your anole will do the rest. You may use an under-tank heating pad to maintain humidity within the habitat, but never for a main source of heat. This is optional. Be sure that the temperature within the habitat stays around 82 degrees F during the day and around 75 degrees F during the night. If the temperature goes above or below these specifications, adjust the heat lamp and sun exposure accordingly.