Anoles - Tropical Lizards

About Anoles

Green Anoles as Pets Anoles are a relative of the chameleon. They can change colors from green to brown depending on what they are standing on. They have been know to also show dark brown spots or even blue spots around the sides of the head. They will live for up to 2 years and are among the less popular of smaller lizards to have as pets. Their popularity may be due to their small size and that they are not very well known They are usually mistaken for common lizards and easily over looked. Anoles are tropical lizards and are not native to the United States. They are commonly found on the sides of trees and on vegetation. Anoles as slow to move normally unless they feel threatened. Anoles are skilled at running up trees and along uneven surfaces. When running they will stop abruptly in the coloring of the dirt or bark effectively losing they prey.

What Anole Lizards Eat

They can eat mealworms and crickets, although it is highly recommended to feed any reptile like an anole baby crickets. Anoles don’t chew their food, they swallow it. Mealworms can eat their way out and the chitin in the crickets shell can build up inside the anole eventually killing it. Baby crickets had the soft chitin that lizards like the anole can handle. If they are being fed meal worms make sure all surviving worms are return to their package in the fridge. The fridge will keep the worms dormant.

Other Characteristics of Anole Lizards

Anoles can grow up to 6 inches and are normally slender in form. The can move fast and are easily handled.

Unlike the chameleon, which can move both eyes independently, anoles are closer to traditional lizards. They see with both eyes on one object. Since these are lizards they are cold blooded and will require a heating lamp or a heating rock.

Photo Credit: Alan L