American Chameleons as Pets

Anoles – often called “American Chameleons” after their ability to change colour – make good pets, being fairly easy to care for in captivity and living for 3 or 4 years, although some exceptional individuals can make twice that age.

Although they don’t quite manage the spectacular colour range of true chameleons, their ability to shift from bark brown to leaf green, according to their surroundings and their mood, certainly makes these little lizards interesting and engaging subjects to keep.

Commonly Available Chameleons

Native to the USA, the Green – or Carolina – Anole (Anolis carolinensis) is the most usually seen of the American Chameleons being offered for sale, but a number of other species are also sometimes sold as pets, including:

• Puerto Rican Crested Anole - Anolis cristatellus
• Bigheaded Anole A. cybotes
• Bark Anole A. disticus
• Knight or Cuban, Anole A. equestris
• Jamaican Crested Anole A. garmani
• Brown Anole A. sagrei

Anolis carolinensis normally grows to around 6 inches (15cm) in length, which is fairly typical for most of its commonly imported species, although the Jamaican Crested – or Giant – Anole can grow up to 1ft (30cm). Knight Anoles surpass even this and can be 18 or 20 inches (45-50cm) long; their size, coupled with their uncertain temperament and large jaws means that these particular chameleons are not for the inexperienced!

Housing Your American Chameleons

Anoles can be kept in small communities, and some keepers find they do best in groups, but there are a couple of important points to bear in mind. Firstly, it’s best to only keep a single species together – so don’t mix your Anolis or keep them with other kinds of lizards. Secondly, the males are highly territorial, so unless your terrarium is really big and offers lots of hiding places and basking spots, don’t have more than one male, or fights will be inevitable.

A tank around 30 x 12 x 16 inches (75x30x40cm) in size can accommodate a male Green Anole and two or three females, though for these active and relatively intelligent lizards the larger the tank the better. Whatever size you choose, a securely fastening lid is an essential feature to ensure its agile little inhabitants stay inside.

The background temperature needs to be around 24-27 degrees C (75-80F) during the day – and a suitable basking spot – with a drop of a few degrees at night, and a humidity level of around 65-70 per cent will suit them well. Their water bowl will help to contribute to this, and a regular misting will also keep things to their liking. Some keepers report that their Anoles seldom if ever drink from a bowl, so misting performs a double duty by providing them with drinking water to lap off the surfaces of the tank and its furnishings.

They will also need around 12 hours a day of UVB exposure to keep them healthy. Whatever kind of light source you choose, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully especially with regard to how quickly it needs replacing. UV output drops surprisingly quickly over a year or two, so to make sure your pets are getting the full benefit, be ready to change your tubes as necessary.

A flooring material of reptile bark or sphagnum moss should be fine and the tank itself needs to be well equipped with properly secured climbing branches to allow your chameleons to behave as naturally as possible.

Food And Feeding

Anoles are seldom difficult to feed and will normally accept a range of insects and other suitably sized items of live food with relish. Adult Green Anoles will eat two or three small crickets every day or two – the specially reared “gut-loaded” variety being the best for these pets – and the food can additionally be dusted weekly with a good vitamin and mineral powder to make sure they get all that they need.

A good range of wild-caught garden bugs will also be appreciated – providing both variety to their diet and adding nutritional value to their food.

Although there are easier kinds of lizards to keep than the anoles, their needs are not too demanding and their antics in the terrarium more than repay the effort. Active, alert and engaging, these chameleons of America are worthy additions to any lizard-fan’s collection.