Green Anole care sheet & general info

Green anoles, or the American chameleons, which they are sometimes referred to, are small arboreal lizards found in most of the south-eastern United States They are named green anoles due to their lime green color, but  they are capable of changing colors and you will see them in different hues of browns also. Unlike true chameleons, the anoles color changes are due more to their mood and the temperature rather than their surroundings.

Male green anoles are typically much larger than the females and generally grow to around 8 inches, whereas the females are more slender built and usually grow to around 6 inches. If they are cared for correctly green anoles can live up to 7 years in captivity.

Even though green anoles are very small lizards, they should still be given plenty of room because they are very active.
For one anole, you could use a 10 gallon terrarium, but nothing smaller. a 20 gallon tank would be more suited for a pair or trio. Glass terrariums with a secure screen lid makes controlling their temperature and humidity easier. 
If you can accurately sex you anoles, you can house them communally. A single pair, or a single male with several females will get along fine. Mature males are, for the most part, very territorial and may show signs of aggression towards each other.

Male green anole basking.

In the wild, green anoles are found in a variety of habitats, most of which are very warm in the summer, and cooler in the winter months..Green anoles can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but they do need a source of heat to be kept captive. Anoles need an ambient temperature of around 80 degrees during the day and at night that can drop down to the 70's. They do need a warmer basking spot that reaches around 90 degrees during the day and that stays warmer than the rest of the enclosure at night. Nocturnal heat bulbs, standard heat lights and ceramic heat emmiters are all good ways of maintaining appropriate night time temperatures. In addition, green anoles also need proper UVB lighting so that they are able to synthesize vitamin D3 and process dietary calcium.

Green anoles require moderate to high levels of humidity in their enclosures, and the proper choice of substrate is key to maintaining these levels Reptile bark, coconut husk and sypress mulch all work well. Do not use sand, gravel or any other drying substrate. Anoles are also arboreal so be sure to provide plenty of logs, sticks and plants for them to climb on and hide in. You can use live and plastic plants in the enclosure. Plants with broad leaves are ideal because it gives a good place for water droplets to pool up on which your anole will drink. You should also always have a small water dish in the enclosure, your anole will more than likely not drink from it but it is needed regardless to help keep the humidity level up. If you mist the enclosure heavily twice a day, that should be sufficient to keep the humidity levels up and provide drinking water for your anole.

Captive anole eating a 1/4" cricket

Green anoles are primarily insectivores and their diet should reflect this. Appropriate sized, (no bigger than the anoles head) crickets, mealworms, roaches,and waxworm should make up the majority of their diet. All feeders should be dusted with a calcium supplement daily for young and growing anoles, and a few times a week for mature anoles. Vitamin supplementation is also recommended, one designed just for reptiles, and due to different formulas, always follow the manufacturers instructions.Anoles will also eat some non food items such as over-ripened fruit, baby food, and flower blossoms. Fruit baby foods is an easy way to add variety to your anoles diet. Just put a very small (tsp.) amount on a small dish up to a few times a week. Banana and papaya are good choices.

Green anole eating a mealworm.

Green anoles are fascinating and beautiful to watch, but most of them do not tolerate much handling. The are very quick and will easily drop their tales if they feel overly threatened, so for this reason always make sure to pick up your anole gently by his whole body. With proper husbandry you will be able to enjoy your anole for several years.

'Anole Annals' - "Your source for the latest on Anolis lizards"

Wildherps.com page on the Green Anole, with detailed close-up pictures of the anole in its natural habitat.

Savannah River Ecology Program Herpetology, page on the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)