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 #763588


Garter Snake
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 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

I have never owned lizards before. I am thinking about getting a pair of them male and female and breeding them but I reall dont know how to take care of them can anyone help me?
04/29/06  01:12pm

 #763670


Falconair
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   Message To: Garter Snake   In reference to Message Id: 763588


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

Anoles are not good lizards to begin with if you’ve never owned a lizard before. Try a bearded dragon or a leopard gecko instead.

If you do insist, realize that for every single anole you need 10 gallons of aquarium and that all offspring cannot be housed with their parents, and brothers and sisters cannot be housed together (inbreeding and genetic defects are at risk).

Basically this means that you need a twenty gallon tank (at absolute minimum) for the breeding pair, plus an incubator for the eggs, plus 10 gallon aquariums for every one of their offspring. Then take into consideration that it takes a good $200 just to set-up your first tank properly, and then about .16 cents a day (US dollars) per anole to feed them, not including vitamin dust and the food for the crickets. And that most captive anoles will live over 4 years.

Beyond that, anoles (beyond the larger species like the Cuban Knight Anole - which can really enjoy biting if not raised properly) aren’t lap lizards. In fact, they shouldn’t be handled at all because it stresses them out (as do a lot of things) and stress causes their natural bacteria to flourish, which can and will result in death.

You also have to have a vet in the area that not only will see reptiles (usually referred to as a herp vet), but will treat anoles. Because of their small size, you usually need to have an exotic vet in the area.

On the plus size, anoles are beautiful little lizards with a ton of personality. Like all lizards, they require a lot of dedication (spritzing three times a day, light regulation within the same hour every day, temperature regulation, feeding, etc), but I’ve really found anole to be a rewarding species to sit down and watch.

If you’re willing to make the commitment with money and time, then check out these websites for detailed information:
http://www.kingsnake.com/anolecare/
http://anoleforest.2ya.com/

You can also look at the caresheets on this website.
04/29/06  02:08pm

 #764310


Joshsnakeman
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   Message To: Falconair   In reference to Message Id: 763670


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

I think you pretty much covered it!
04/29/06  10:50pm

 #765904


Sps
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   Message To: Joshsnakeman   In reference to Message Id: 764310


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

That makes me want to get rid of my anole lol i didnt know it would be so difficult although i live by petsmart and i go look in the trash can in the back and find some valueable stuff like 10 gallon tank but im not a hobo lol it just fun to find stuff



05/01/06  12:38am

 #780405


JKidzy246
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   Message To: Garter Snake   In reference to Message Id: 763588


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

Our classroom just got 8 Anoles, and we’d all(well, except 1 girl and the teacher)never had lizards before. I think they are making great first pets. We had 2 put 2 together, though. All we did was put soil, grass seed, rocks, sticks, cut-up egg cartons(for cricket houses), and then we dumped the crickets and Anole in. Just watch them is my advice. Our groups ran away and jumped off a table on to the floor. We caught it and put it back, but we have 2 tape the lids on; Anoles can push lightweight plastic lids off.
05/10/06  07:13pm

 #780552


Falconair
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   Message To: JKidzy246   In reference to Message Id: 780405


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

My classroom teacher (this is highschool, mind you) also purchased anoles under the impression that they are simple to take care of lizards. This is not true. A proper enclosure will cost over $200 and many many hours a week. If your anoles are in plastic, then they are not in the correct housing.

And from what you’ve described, you don’t have any light sources on your anoles. These reptiles can live for four years, but yours will probably not last half a year without the UVB rays they need to digest their food.
05/10/06  08:42pm

 #781151


Atrax27407
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   Message To: Falconair   In reference to Message Id: 780552


 Im thinking about getting a pair please help!

See "Quick Caresheet" to get started.
05/11/06  07:27am


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