What the heck is this? An anole? Help please!

Fig Newton · Jun 11, 2010

Ok... I've come across another found little animal... this one came into my brother's workplace (he thinks) in a delivery of trees from a nursery. He works at a Rona. Can anyone identify it and tell me what I need to do to care for him/her?

Greatwtehunter · Jun 11, 2010

That is definitely some sort of Anolis species. If the nursery was located in Florida then I would assume this is Anolis sagrei but something about the coloration just doesn't seem right for that species.

jaster · Jun 11, 2010

Anolis sagrei is what came to my mind first.

Fig Newton · Jun 11, 2010

the batch of trees came from Florida about a month ago but when they called agriculture to come check him out, they said it had been past three weeks and they don't check out anything after three weeks.

Azhael · Jun 11, 2010

Looks like Anolis sagrei to me, too.
If it´s a native species, the right thing to do would be to set it free near the area where it originally came from (provided that you don´t keep any other reptiles).

Greatwtehunter · Jun 11, 2010

I finally figured it out! It's not Anolis sagrei, it is Anolis cristatellus. Either way, it isn't a native species so your best option is to keep it (same care requirements as A. sagrei) or give it to someone else that is willing to take on the responsibility.

Do you know if the nursery was around the Miami-Dade County area?

lilsoul · Jun 11, 2010

it is a brown anole

Mac Myers · Jun 11, 2010

I've never been able to tell the difference between cristatellis and sagrei.

I know that the Cuban (sagrei) is MUCH more common and I'm not sure I've ever seen anything else. But as mentioned, they are a non indigenous, invasive species (though here to stay) and while they don't compete directly with Anolis carolininesis they breed at a much higher rate eventually displacing them.

Fig Newton · Jun 11, 2010

The nursery is in South Florida- that's all my brother knows. He was definetely hungry, I gave him two crickets and they're already gone. I've noticed he changes color, too! I've got a 55 gallon tank already from other animals I've had in there in the past, so I'm able to keep him- but he doesn't seem to be nocturnal and i'm wondering how to set the tank.... it's still half dirt, half moss from my newt when he was in there. Do they need sun or anything as well? they're not toxic, either I assume?
Also, how do I tell if it's a boy or girl?

Azhael · Jun 11, 2010

No, they are not toxic, don´t you worry.
In order to tell if it´s a male or a female, look at the base of the tail from the underside. If there are two bulges pointing down the tail, it´s a male.

As for the tank, it´s a very good size. Give it a good cleaning with soap and let it dry. Stuff it with branches and tall live plants, they love them. Direct sun is not necessary, but you´ll have to provide a bulb with UV light.
Check around the internet for caresheets (make sure to compare and read as much as you can, there´s some bad info around).

Mac Myers · Jun 11, 2010

As far as UV goes... Mercury Vapor Bulbs provide both heat and UV.

I've used these very effectively though I'm not sure about shipping to Canada.

Sunforce Mercury Vapor UV Bulbs For Reptiles

You can easily create the needed Temperature Gradient.

Fig Newton · Jun 11, 2010

Cool... thanks. I believe it's a girl then- there's no bulges. I'm going to have to give her a Floridian name

)

Ltdanicecream · Jun 12, 2010

Id just like to say those crickets are a tad too big for that anole. Other than that it sounds like you'll do a good job, and it has a beautiful coloration

Greatwtehunter · Jun 14, 2010

Mac Myers said:
I've never been able to tell the difference between cristatellis and sagrei.

A. sagrei have a dorsal stripe and usually two faint horizontal bars along their sides. A. cristatellis have a herringbone pattern down their back with no dorsal stripe.

Mac Myers · Jun 14, 2010

Thanks! I'll look more closely in the future.

misslyss · Jun 14, 2010

Wow thats a pretty far journey for a little Anole! These guys are all over my back yard, I used to catch them when I was little

often times you can see them sitting by lines of ants, licking a few up as they go by.

dipsydoodle · Jun 15, 2010

What a good find.

I'm so jealous of all you people just wondering outside and seeing newts and lizards (ok it's not that easily necessarily) but we get nothing here

. I saw my first "wild newts" in a pond at the weekend and I was literally dragged away (I was a bit too 'over-excited' at my find).

Azhael · Jun 15, 2010

I think going out into your garden (provided that you are blessed with a garden...) and seeing a lizard on the walls is basically happiness

It doesn´t matter if it´s an Anolis or a Podarcis..the effect is the same xD

I used to love catching lizards when i was a kid....and i was quite good at it too! Had my little tricks and tools and everything xDD

dipsydoodle · Jun 15, 2010

We have a garden; if we are lucky when it's really wet we see a toad

.

Azhael · Jun 15, 2010

I´d kill to see a toad in my garden!!! Well...i´d kill to have a garden

What the heck is this? An anole? Help please!

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