🦎 General Info

The Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is a small, active, and native to the southeastern United States, including Florida, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, and the Carolinas. They are often called “American chameleons” because of their ability to change color from bright green to brown, but they are not true chameleons.

Green Anoles are diurnal (day-active), arboreal, and thrive in warm, humid environments. Males are known for their bright pink throat fan (dewlap), which they use in displays to attract females or defend territory.

Adults typically reach 5–8 inches in total length, including their tail. They are alert, curious, and quick, making them fascinating display reptiles. With proper care, they can live 6–8 years in captivity.

Enclosure

  • Size:

    • Single adult: Minimum 18” x 18” x 24” (vertical space is key).

    • Group of 2–3 (1 male, 1–2 females): 24” x 24” x 36” or larger.

  • Never house two males together — They can be territorial and they will fight.

  • Material:

    • Glass or PVC terrarium with a screen top for airflow

    • Vertical enclosures are ideal as green anoles are arboreal and love to climb.

  • Décor:

    • Provide live or artificial plants, branches, vines, and bark for climbing.

    • Offer multiple hiding areas at different heights.

    • A basking branch near the top under the heat lamp is essential.

  • Tip: A tall, planted enclosure simulates their habitat and helps them feel secure.

Temperature & Lighting

  • Basking Spot: 90–95°F

  • Ambient Temperature: 75–85°F

  • Cool Side: Around 72–75°F

  • Night Temperature: 68–72°F

  • Heating:

    • Use a basking bulb or halogen lamp to create a focused hot spot

    • Avoid heat rocks because of risk of burns, unless hooked up to a thermostat

    • Ensure you create a temperature gradient throughout the enclosure.

  • Lighting:

    • UVB lighting is essential for vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium absorption.

    • Use a T5 HO 5–7% UVB tube or equivalent. Replace UVB bulbs every 6–12 months as directed by the manufacturer.

    • Provide 12–14 hours of light daily.

  • Tip: A combination of bright light and proper UVB exposure enhances color, appetite, and activity.

Humidity & Water

  • Humidity: 60–70%

  • Maintaining Humidity:

    • Mist the enclosure 2–3 times daily to provide drinking droplets on leaves and décor.

    • Use a humidifier or fogger if needed to maintain levels.

    • Ensure good ventilation to prevent mold or stagnant air.

  • Water:

    • Green Anoles rarely drink from bowls — they prefer to lick droplets after misting.

    • Include a small, shallow water dish for additional hydration.

    • We recommend using dechlorinated water, especially if you have a bioactive set up.

  • Tip: Consistency in humidity helps prevent dehydration and aids shedding.

Substrate

  • Recommended Substrate:

    • Coconut fiber (Eco Earth)

    • Organic topsoil (without fertilizers)

    • Reptile-safe soil/sand mix

    • NEVER use reptile carpet - leads to bacteria growth very quickly and animals catch their claws and cause injury.

  • Bioactive set up: See our bioactive set up guides here

  • Depth: 2–3 inches for live plants and humidity retention.

  • Maintenance: Spot clean daily. Replace substrate every 1–2 months or as needed.

  • Tip: Live plants such as pothos, ficus, and bromeliads will help maintain humidity levels and create a naturalistic, secure habitat for your Anole

Diet

  • Type: Insectivorous

  • Staple Foods:

    • Crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, small silkworms, black soldier fly larvae, meal worms and super worms as treats as they can be high in fat.

    • Offer appropriately sized prey - usually prey about the side of the width of their head.

  • Feeding Schedule:

    • Juveniles: Feed daily.

    • Adults: Feed every other day.

  • Supplements:

    • Calcium without D3: 3–4 times per week.

    • Calcium with D3: Once weekly.

    • Multivitamin: Once weekly.

  • Gut-Loading: Feed insects nutrient-rich greens and vegetables to your feeder insects 24 hours before feeding.

  • Tip: Vary the diet and occasionally introduce flying insects like fruit flies or houseflies for enrichment and exercise.

Behavior & Handling

  • Temperament: Green Anoles are skittish and flighty but rarely aggressive. They rely on speed and camouflage for defense. While they may not enjoy frequent handling, they are highly entertaining to observe.

  • Handling Tips:

    • Limit handling to brief, gentle interactions.

    • Move slowly and approach from the side where they can see you, grabbing them from above can startle them.

    • Allow them to crawl around some but ensure they are secure so they don’t escape.

  • Enrichment:

    • Rearrange plants, branches and other décor occasionally to encourage exploration.

    • Offer a variety of climbing materials.

  • Tip: With patience and consistent calmness, Green Anoles may become accustomed to human presence and display more natural behaviors.

Health & Lifespan

  • Lifespan: 6–8 years in captivity with proper care.

  • Common Health Issues:

    • Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): From lack of UVB or calcium deficiency.

    • Dehydration: Often caused by inadequate humidity or lack of misting.

    • Respiratory Infections: Due to low temperatures or poor ventilation.

    • Parasites: Common in wild-caught specimens; perform routine fecal checks.

    • Stress-related weight loss: From overcrowding or excessive handling.

  • Prevention:

    • Provide correct UVB and calcium supplementation.

    • Maintain ideal temperature and humidity. Avoid housing males together.

    • Ensure a well-ventilated, spacious enclosure with plenty of hiding spots.

  • Signs of Illness:

    • Lethargy or constant brown coloration.

    • Loss of appetite.

    • Difficulty shedding.

    • Wheezing, open-mouth breathing.

    • Weakness or trembling limbs

  • Veterinary Care: Professional veterinary care should always be consulted when you think your pet may have an issue. Watch for signs of illness, catching an issue early on goes a long way.

Final thoughts:

The Green Anole is one of the most iconic and accessible lizards in the reptile hobby — perfect for naturalistic display enclosures and educational setups. Their bright coloration, dynamic behavior, and territorial displays make them endlessly fascinating to watch.

While they are better suited as display pets rather than for frequent handling, a properly designed habitat will bring out their natural hunting, basking, and social behaviors.

With the right environment — warm, humid, and full of climbing opportunities — these hardy little reptiles thrive and bring a vibrant piece of the southeastern wilderness right into your home.