Taking care for an anole?

Question

i want an anole and want to know what size tank for one? two? and what to put in the tank and basiks on feeding and caring how to care and what are other food sources other than crickets and if crickets how much to buy and how to keep em alive for at least a month how do i get started?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

It's really great that you are learning about these guys before running out to buy one! For two anoles a 10 gallon tank ($13) or larger is good. You will also need a screen top ($12),soil , husk or bark bedding (Bed-a-Beast is good) ($10). They like to climb so branches and faux leaves are great for them($0-$10). They also like to have something they can hide under; pet stores sell tons of hides for reptiles($5-$10). You are also going to need a water dish($4). Anoles need to be kept moist so mist them twice a day($2). The water you use in their water dish and in their mister should be dechlorinated using a reptile safe product($8). You will also need a thermometer and a humidity gauge in the tank ($10). You also need a light to maintain temperature and to allow for calcium absorption through UVA and UVB bulbs. You can purchase a long UVA/UVB light strip($20). You need to provide a basking lamp at one end of the tank also. These run about $12 for the fixture and $8 for the bulbs. At night this light should be switched to a night glow to maintain the temperature($8).
In addition to eating crickets anoles will also eat meal worms and wax worms, although waxworms are better to be given as a treat. Crickets and meal worms should be given on alternating days. Crickets need to be dusted with a calcium powder before being given to the anole. When it comes to keeping crickets alive it can be tricky and it takes practice. You will need a "kritter keeper" with a small (hamster sized dish) and a dish for "water"( i'll explain this further). You want to put an egg crate in the container so the crickets have shelter and something to climb on. The food dish should be 1/2 full with a commercial cricket food. While it is true that crickets can be fed potatos and other foods this makes them unhealthy for your anole so it is best to buy the food, ($8), it lasts a really long time. Water is probably the trickiest part. You need to make sure they have it but they can't drown in it. There is a jelly-like water substance called easy water that is good. There are also water pillows which work well and little "live savers" that you put into a water dish, these are the least effective. Crickets need to be kept at about room temperature but if it gets too cold you'll need to heat them without frying them.
Anoles are great pets. The links I've posted are for green anoles but also apply to bahamans. These can both live together as well as with long tailed lizards which makes for a really interesting looking tank.
I hope that this is helpful. I would really recommend checking out the links, especially the first one. It's really basic stuff that you may want to print out and have on hand. I also recommend going to the library and checking out some books on anoles and herpetology.

Also- the prices in the answer are ball park, I just thought it would be helpful. Most of these are one time or once a year costs.

Source(s):

Animal Behavior Pre-Vet Major
Work at Pet Store
Worked at Veterinarian
Volunteered at SPCA

http://www.petsmart.com/uc/petarticles_d…

http://www.petsmart.com/uc/petarticles_d…