🦎 Reptile · size Very small
Anolis
Reptile requiring terrarium and microclimate.
Photo · Danny S. (Public domain)
Weight
5–10 g
Size
Very small
Lifespan
10–20 ans
Energy
Faible
Maintenance
Faible
Training
Faible
Anolis carolinensis is a species of lizards in the family Dactyloidae. This species is more commonly called Green Anole but also American Anole, Red-throated Anole or even American Chameleon, due to its ability to change color but it is not a chameleon, the latter being part of a different family of reptiles.
Compatibility
Profile
At a glance
Energy
Faible
Trainability
Faible
Maintenance
Faible
Indicative profile — every animal is an individual.
⚡ Key facts in 30 seconds
L'essentiel
- 1Very small size (0.005–0.01 kg) — ideal for apartment and easy transport.
- 2Lifespan: 10 to 20 years on average, depending on maintenance and diet.
- 3Low exercise needs — suitable for less active individuals.
- 4Minimal care — little shedding, occasional brushing.
Chapter 1
Getting to know the Anolis
Character
Daily temperament
Green anoles are curious by nature and have good knowledge of their surroundings. Males are very territorial and do not hesitate to fight their male counterparts to defend their territory. If a male enters the territory of another male, the intruder will be pursued and chased vigorously but without any injury occurring. Stress is recognizable in the anole through several symptoms: constant brown color, dark circles under the eyes, persistent lethargic behavior. On the other hand, if one places a male among several females, aggressive pursuits can be observed but these are short-lived. The anole loves to perch in the branches of trees that assure it good coverage, or on garden fences but rarely on the ground. It then displays its reddish throat as a warning against possible attackers. Like all reptiles, the green anole molts. It uses its mouth to tear off its dead skin and then eats it because it is rich in minerals.
Physical
Breed standard
The green anole can reach a total length of 22 cm for a mass of approximately 4 g. Females are smaller than males, approximately 16 cm. As its name indicates, the color of the anole is a vivid green, but this can turn brown or tan under the influence of several factors, such as the emotion and mood of the individual, camouflage in the environment, as well as temperature. The belly remains always white in color; one can notice a brown or green circle around the eye. The green anole changes from green to brown for different reasons. Camouflage, temperature and emotions are the main factors in color change.
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Camouflage: the green coloration allows it to camouflage itself in leafy vegetation while the brown allows it to not be seen in a dark environment such as tree trunks. Temperature: when it wants to warm up, the anole turns dark brown, which allows it to capture more solar rays. Emotions: during a dispute between two anoles, the victor displays a bright green color while the vanquished becomes dull brown. The male displays his gular fan to females to seduce them or to impress possible intruders on his territory. This behavior is often accompanied by head bobbing. Like many lizards, the anole has the ability to lose its tail to distract an attacker (autotomy ability). Indeed, the severed tail piece continues to move and contract. The tail will regrow but will be less manageable than the original. Furthermore, the eyes of the anole move independently of each other in the manner of a chameleon. Its long clawed fingers allow the anole to climb easily in trees. Furthermore the presence of setae under the paws allows the green anole to adhere more easily to smooth surfaces, like many geckos. They are capable of jumping distances of approximately 35 cm.
Living conditions
What living situation?
More than 400 species of this genus are encountered in the southeastern United States, Central America, the West Indies and northern South America.
Chapter 2
Daily life
What if you adopted your future companion?
The Anolis of your dreams may already be waiting in a shelter. Hundreds of anolis (and equally wonderful crossbreeds) are looking for a family in France — every adoption starts a new story.
Editorial recommendation — no affiliate links.
Âge
What human age for a anolis ?
The calculator is already set to the breed's adult size (espérance de vie 10–20 ans). Drag the slider to see the equivalence and corresponding life stage.
Equivalent human age
24years
Young adult
Growth is complete: switch to adult food and set ration to ideal weight to prevent post-sterilization weight gain.
Estimate: Proportional estimate: a reference life expectancy of 15 years, scaled to an 80-year human life. No reference veterinary table exists for this species.
These equivalences are statistical benchmarks drawn from published veterinary tables. Every animal ages at its own pace, depending on genetics, diet and care. This calculator is neither a diagnosis nor veterinary advice.
Alert
To avoid for reptile
Our database lists toxic ingredients and problematic additives by species.
- Copper sulphateModerate
- rhubarbHigh
- avocadoHigh
- onionModerate
Nutrition
Feed your pet well
These are diurnal lizards, mainly arboreal, that consume mainly insects although several species also consume fruits.
Calculator · daily ration
How much to give a anolis ?
Estimate based on the veterinary formula RER × DER, adjusted for reptile. Adjust according to package recommendations.
Estimate not available for this species.
Appears in
Anolis in our rankings
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Companions with reasonable maintenance costs — from hamster to dwarf rabbit.
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Maximum documented lifespan — 20 years for the Green Iguana
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See the rankingFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Anolis
How long does an Anolis live?+
Is Anolis suitable for beginners?+
What basic equipment should I plan for?+
If you like this reptile
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For more information
Sources & official links
Supplementary documentation on reference sites — breed clubs, encyclopedias, veterinarians.
The right score for your Anolis.
SokoScan calculates a personalized PawScore based on breed, age, weight and your pet's sensitivities. Free, instant.