Lizards
Brown anole care guide
Anolis sagrei
A small, busy anole. One male per enclosure; females can be grouped.
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Brown anole enclosure size
Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing. An adult brown anole should live in at least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H; we build toward 24" L × 18" W × 24" H (2 × 1.5 × 2 ft, roughly 3 sq ft of floor and about a 45-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
- Basking / warm surface
- 88–90°F basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 80–85°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–76°F
- Night
- No lower than 65°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–70%. Daily misting; they drink from droplets.
Substrate and depth
Soil/coco or bioactive. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Small gut-loaded insects dusted with calcium, daily for juveniles, every other day for adults.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Brown anole FAQ
How big should an adult Brown anole enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 18" W × 24" H — about 2 × 1.5 × 2 ft, or a 45-gallon glass equivalent. Semi-arboreal — floor space plus climbing.
What temperatures does a Brown anole need?
Basking or warm surface 88–90°F basking spot, warm side 80–85°F, cool side 72–76°F, night No lower than 65°F. Overhead heat (halogen, deep heat projector or radiant panel) on a thermostat, creating a warm-to-cool gradient.
Does a Brown anole need UVB?
UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Brown anole need?
60–70%. Daily misting; they drink from droplets.
What substrate is best for a Brown anole?
Soil/coco or bioactive, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Brown anole enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own brown anole record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.