Those new to reptiles will love Green Anoles.These animals make great pets because of their bright green color and great displays.You need to make sure you provide an appropriate habitat for your lizard, because they are relatively cheap to buy.They need space, warmth, humidity, and a lot of plants to climb on.
Step 1: There is a vivarium.
To create a great habitat for your lizard, you will need an appropriately sized vivarium.This is a container that has a vent in it.This kind of container is ideal for lizards because it allows you to keep the heat and humidity up.If you get a lot of green anoles you will need a bigger vivarium.A ten-gallon vivarium is big enough for two anoles.If you have more than one male anoles they may fight.You should get a 20 gallon tank if you have more than one male and two females.This is about 48 x 13 x 20.
Step 2: Plants and branches should be added.
You need to equip your lizard's tank with all the items it needs in order for it to thrive.The base of the tank should be covered with two inches of sterile potting soil and bark mulch.Place plants in the tanks.The plants give you opportunities to climb and contribute to the humidity.Make sure you include plants that are reptile safe.Pothos, spider plants and philodendrons are good choices.There should be more branches on the side of the tank.These are good for climbing.You can buy branches in your store.You should not bring branches from outside as these may have parasites.
Step 3: A basking area is needed.
The rest of the tank should be kept at a cooler temperature during the day.The basking area is where your anole will relax during the day.The area should be kept at around 90 degrees.This area needs a secondary heat source.The heat source should cover 25% of the total space.The 50-75 watt bulb is secured in a ceramic base.The lizard shouldn't be able to reach or touch the bulb.Specialty basking lights are available from your pet store.Hot rocks are not a heat source for anoles.
Step 4: Hide the areas.
Under logs, behind plants and branches are some of the places your lizard will want to hide.You can put wood or bark in the tank to create a hiding house for your lizard.There are places to hide in the basking area.You can buy hiding houses from your pet store.
Step 5: Get the right temperature.
Anoles come from warm regions of the south-eastern US and places like Cuba and the Caribbean.If you have anoles as pets, you need to make sure the habitat you build recreates the temperatures the lizards like in the wild.During the day, try to maintain a temperature of 75-87oF.The temperature at night should be between 65 and 75 degrees.The temperature inside the vivarium can be monitored using heating lamps and thermometers.You can use specialist nocturnal light bulbs that produce heat, but not much light at night.These can cost a lot.You can place a heating pad underneath the tank.
Step 6: Provide UVB light.
Your lizard needs to be exposed to UVB light to synthesise vitamins D3 and calcium.Your lizard needs UVB light for 12 hours a day.Mineral deficiencies and physical problems for your green anole are caused by insufficient exposure to UVB.You need to make the light available for your lizard so he can make his own decisions.The sun is the best source of light.If it's not practical arrange a combination of visible and UVB light from a reptile black light.If you use overhead UVB light sources, the top of the tank needs to be mesh so the light can get through.
Step 7: The humidity should be controlled with water.
Anoles don't like the kind of humidity you would expect from a wet rainforest.The humidity should be around 70%.Ensuring that water goes into the air in the container is how you can do this.The mister system will do this automatically if you purchase it.Be sure to keep an eye on it to make sure it's working.It is possible to spray the leaves of the plants in the container with water a few times a day.This is a good way to provide drinking water because lizards are used to drinking from leaves.Not all lizards can drink from a bowl so you should make sure that your lizards have another way to get water, such as the dew on leaves.