Anoles have the advantage of being
relatively small, inexpensive and easy to care
for. They reach an adult length of around 8 inches
in captivity, and a lot of that is tail. It is
fairly easy to meet their housing and dietary requirements,
although a fair amount of equipment is required
to properly set up a vivarium for anoles.
Anoles are attractive little lizards. Males have
a colorful dewlap (fold of skin under the chin/neck),
which they flash during territorial and courtship
displays. They can drop their long tail if grabbed
by the tail, a defense against predators in the
wild but which they will not hesitate to use if
held by the tail. The tail will usually regenerate
but will not look the same as the original did.
They are fairly skittish and shy but with consistent
and gentle handling will become somewhat tame.
Anoles can be kept singly or in small groups.
Males are territorial and may display and fight
with one another, so a group is best composed of
females with no more than one male. A good sized
aquarium with a tight fitting screen top makes
the best home; an absolute minimum 10 gallon aquarium
for 1-2, but larger is better and necessary for
groups of 3 or more.
