Green anole (Anolis carolinensis)

Short answers

Green anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 60×45×80 cm for a pair (the German recommendation is more like 80×60×100 cm).

Green anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C basking spot, at night 20–22 °C.

Green anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5–7%, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot).

Green anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Green anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C basking spot

Humidity

day 50–70 %, night ~80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5–7%, UV index 3–4 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 60×45×80 cm for a pair (the German recommendation is more like 80×60×100 cm)

Substrate

Coco humus and planting, plenty of branchwork and climbing plants, a water section

Feeding

Food

Insects (flies, small crickets, wax moths, spiders)

Feeding interval

every other day

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 15–22 cm total length (males up to 22 cm, females up to about 18 cm)

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

The south-eastern USA

Protection status

—

Brumation

Winter dormancy 2–3 months at a lowered temperature (around 20 °C, cooler at night) with shorter lighting; promotes breeding and health

Cohabitation

Pairs (1.1) are the safest option; males are strongly territorial and must never be kept together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with several females is possible, but only with plenty of space, visual barriers and a basking spot for each; if it gets too crowded, one takes the basking spot while the other sits in a corner and wastes away — usually without a single visible bite wound.

Notes

A good beginner's anole, but not an animal to stroke (stress). It changes colour green↔brown with mood and temperature.

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Related species

• Ghost anole (Anolis lemurinus) – Intermediate
• Ahl's anole (Anolis ahli) – Intermediate
• Aliniger anole (Anolis aliniger) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Allogus anole (Anolis allogus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bahaman green anole (Anolis smaragdinus) – Beginner
• Bahoruco anole (Anolis bahorucoensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Baleatus giant anole (Anolis baleatus) – Intermediate
• Baracoa giant anole (Anolis baracoae) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Green anole (Anolis carolinensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 60×45×80 cm for a pair (the German recommendation is more like 80×60×100 cm)), substrate (Coco humus and planting, plenty of branchwork and climbing plants, a water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.