Scaly friends count too.
Green Anole
Anolis carolinensis
Also called Carolina Anole, Carolina Green Anole, American Anole, American Green Anole, Red-throated Anole
From South-eastern North America: the coastal plains of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida and the Gulf Coast states west to Texas. A tree and shrub dweller that also adapts well to gardens and towns.1
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Males weigh about 3-7 g; males are roughly 15% larger than females.
Looks how to spot one
Fine scales, slender climbing lizard
A small, slim lizard with a pointed head, a long tail and sticky toe pads for climbing. It can shift from vivid green to deep brown depending on mood, temperature and activity. Males have a pink-orange to red throat fan (dewlap) that they flare during displays; the female's is much smaller.1
Personality what they are like
Quick, alert and a little shy, so it is best enjoyed as a display animal rather than a lizard for frequent handling. Offering insects from tweezers is a nice way to build trust. Males are showy and keen to defend their patch.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active by day and fond of climbing, so it needs height: plenty of branches, vines and live plants to move through, plus a warm basking perch.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Dust all feeder insects with a calcium and multivitamin supplement. Keep humidity up with misting, and provide UVB lighting aimed at a UV index of about 3-4 in the basking zone.2
Home where they are happiest
Minimum enclosure 60 x 60 x 60 cm, larger if possible, front-opening with opaque sides. Basking area about 32 °C, cool side 21-25 °C and 18-24 °C at night. Daytime humidity around 60-70%, higher at night. Natural substrate and live plants work well.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Insect-eater. Offer small crickets, roach nymphs and other appropriately sized insects; juveniles eat daily and adults every other day. Wild anoles also take flies, moths, beetles and spiders.21
Company who they like around
Simplest kept one per enclosure. Males should never share a tank; a few females with one male is sometimes done when space is generous.21
The story where it all began
Friedrich Siegmund Voigt gave the species its scientific name in 1832. It has long been a familiar garden lizard across the south-eastern United States and has since been introduced to Hawaii, the Caribbean and other regions. In 2011 it became a landmark in science as the first reptile to have its full genome sequenced.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It was the first reptile whose complete genome was sequenced and published, in 2011.1
- 2
It is often called the American chameleon because of its colour changes, though it is not a chameleon at all.1
- 3
Its colour shifts come from three layers of pigment cells and reflect mood and activity rather than the background.1
- 4
The male's dewlap reflects ultraviolet light, making it stand out even more to other anoles.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Conservation status
- Not considered threatened; abundant throughout its range.1
- Taxonomy
- Anolis carolinensis Voigt, 1832, family Dactyloidae.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Green Anole. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Green Anole?
Juveniles eat daily, while adults do well every other day. Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed according to the species and age, so check with your vet for the exact schedule.21 Furry Diary plan
What does a Green Anole eat, and what should it never eat?
They eat small crickets, roach nymphs, and other appropriately sized insects; wild ones also take flies and moths. Never feed them anything other than insects, and avoid any wild-caught bugs that may carry pesticides.21
How much space does a Green Anole need?
A minimum enclosure of 60 x 60 x 60 cm is recommended, with more space being better. It should be front-opening with opaque sides and plenty of climbing branches and live plants.21
What temperature, light or water does a Green Anole need?
Provide a basking area around 32 °C, a cool side of 21-25 °C, and night temperatures of 18-24 °C. Use UVB lighting aimed at a UV index of 3-4, and mist to keep daytime humidity at 60-70%, higher at night.21
How often should I clean a Green Anole's home?
Spot clean daily and do a full clean monthly. Furry Diary's starting plan also includes a daily temperature check and a monthly weigh-in. Furry Diary plan
Can a Green Anole live with others?
It is simplest to keep one per enclosure. Males should never share a tank, though a few females with one male is sometimes done in a generous space.21
How long does a Green Anole live?
With proper care, they can live 8 to 10 years. This depends on diet, habitat, and regular vet checkups.12
Can I handle a Green Anole?
They are quick, alert, and a little shy, so they are best enjoyed as a display animal rather than for frequent handling. Offering insects from tweezers can help build trust.21
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Carolina anole - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, weight, lifespan, colour change, dewlap, diet, behaviour, captive care, taxonomy, status, fun facts
- Green Anole Care Guide - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for size, lifespan, enclosure, temperatures, humidity, UVB, diet, social housing, temperament
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.