RecoveryLizards
Green anole care guide
Anolis carolinensis
Small, fast and diurnal. Cheap to buy but not cheap to keep well — they need real UVB and a densely planted vertical space.
Arboreal — vertical height first
Green anole enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult green anole should live in at least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H; we build toward 24" L × 18" W × 36" H (2 × 1.5 × 3 ft, roughly 3 sq ft of floor and about a 67-gallon glass equivalent).
Only one male per enclosure.
- Hatchling / baby
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 18" W × 36" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Small halogen at the top, thermostat-controlled.
- Basking / warm surface
- 85–90°F surface
- Warm side (ambient)
- 78–84°F ambient
- Cool side (ambient)
- 72–76°F ambient
- Night
- 65–72°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 2–3 at basking). Run lights on a 12–14 hours photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–70%. Mist twice daily; they drink droplets off leaves.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil with leaf litter. Depth: 2–3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Dense live or artificial planting
- Thin branches and vines
- Basking branch under the lamp
- Misting bottle or system
Build list
- 18x18x24 planted terrarium — Vertical, densely planted space suits their behaviour.
- T5 UVB + small halogen — Diurnal baskers with a genuine UV need.
- 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 — stick-on dials are inaccurate.
- Bioactive soil and leaf litter — Holds humidity and hosts a cleanup crew.
Green anole FAQ
How big should an adult Green anole enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 18" W × 36" H — about 2 × 1.5 × 3 ft, or a 67-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does a Green anole need?
Basking or warm surface 85–90°F surface, warm side 78–84°F ambient, cool side 72–76°F ambient, night 65–72°F. Small halogen at the top, thermostat-controlled.
Does a Green anole need UVB?
T5 UVB 5–6% (UVI 2–3 at basking). Photoperiod: 12–14 hours.
What humidity does a Green anole need?
60–70%. Mist twice daily; they drink droplets off leaves.
What substrate is best for a Green anole?
Bioactive soil with leaf litter, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Green anole enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 18" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own green anole record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.