I bought two green anoles yesterday but one of them has been brown all the way home and most of the time since. It is quite a lot smaller than the other. I asked for two females so am hoping it is a size issue rather than male dominance (esp cos i haven't got another set up to transfer it to). The 'brown' anole found a small crevice near the top of the tank where it seems to prefer to stay while the other basks. I've not seen any aggression between the two lizards.The tank is one of the glass exo terra front opening ones with mesh top. The humidity is about 75 and the temp around 80. There are plenty of plants and other areas for the anole to retreat to but it seems to prefer this bare bit near the top (about 1.5 cm tall). I' have a reptiglo 5.0 compact bulb and a regular 60W bulb for heat, replaced with a red nightlight bulb for heat at night. I'm worried the little anole will die. I have seen it eat and occasionally move around but most of the time it just sits with its eyes shut. How long can it survive in this stressed state? Is it just the new environment? Any advice?
Hello, welcome to the forums! As for the size issue, seeing as the size difference is pretty inconsistent, i'd have them housed seperately, at least for a few weeks, then you can monitor each anoles behaviour, and feeding habits closer. It also allows you to make sure each anole is defacating properly, and if there is a problem with one of the anoles, you don't want that being passed on to the healthy one. Green anoles turning brown does not ALWAYS mean they are stressed. They do it sometimes just because they want to. Saying that, it can be a sign of stress. I'd seperate them, all you'll need for the smaller one is a 10 gallon tank, which are quite cheap, especially when it could mean saving your little one. Keep an eye on how much each is eating these next few days, and also that they're pooping etc. If theres anything else you need to ask, do not hesitate to ask. Good luck :wink: Luke
Thanks for the advice. Little A is still brown and sometimes has a really dark brown patch behind her eye which is very worrying. Sometimes turns green at night but still staying mostly in one (darker) part of the tank and doesn't spend much time at all basking. I've also seen the two anoles displaying aggressively at each other (dewlap right out on Big A). Little A is still eating but Big A has a fat belly and is bright green while Little A still looks quite skinny. I'm going out now to buy a new set up and separate them. Despite the problems, I'm very taken with them and the new tank won't go to waste when I reunite the anoles as I can see myself getting another reptile soon anyway... :wink:
I'm glad to hear your mature response to the situation. This is what i like to hear from herp keepers and i think you'll be a successful herp keeper.
Why, thank-you 8) Had fun and games today :wink: . Went back to reptile specialist shop and told them what had been happening. I said I thought Big A might be a male (dewlap massive lol) and he said either buy a new set-up or buy another female - reasoning being that Little A wouldn't be so harrassed if Big A had another wife! Found a gorgeous looking anole which both the guy in the shop and myself thought HAD to be female. Well, brought it home and Both Big A and Little A went an alarming shade of brown as New One went bright green and displayed a rather impressive dewlap. OMG. Had to take New One back :cry: and just bought another set-up. Shop guy said it would be okay to keep two males together if they didn't have a female to fight over ie bring Little A back instead - but decided I didn't fancy driving to the shop lots of times all over the Easter weekend if stuff didn't work out and am kinda attached to Little A now even tho she's cost me loads of money. Have been separated for a few hours now and seem loads better. Two questions. (1) Will they live quite happily alone - don't want them feeling lonely! Or should I get a couple of house geckos to keep Little A company? (2) Is it true what shop guy said about two male anoles together not fighting if there's no female?
Larry and Little A Big A (now called Larry..) is well and truly king of his pad. Little A, now on her own, still spends most of her time brown but does at least bask and feed/ drink etc. Still wouldn't mind knowing if it's worth persevering to get her a friend (anole or something else?) Need to be 100% sure that it's female tho, which seems to be problematic. Bloke at reptile shop said it's ok to keep 3/4 anoles in a exo terra 18 x 12 x 12 but having read up on it on here am convinced he's having a laugh...!
RE: Larry and Little A Anoles will live happily alone, as long as the husbandry is correct, sometimes taking the stress of another anole away is good for them. As for 3/4 anoles in that size of a cage - don't do it lol. Also, two males can NEVER be housed together, regardless if there's a female or not. I can almost guarentee that there will be fighting, i can't believe a pet store would say that. I mean, sure, most pet store owners don't know a whole lot, but the whole male+male thing is basic knowledge. I'm really glad you're asking all these questions, and can't wait to see pictures
