American “chameleons”, more properly know as green anole lizards, Anolis carolinensis, has probably become a pet in more homes in North America than any other lizard.

The green anole is a member of a genus of about 300 species and subspecies, all really identical in body configuration and habits, often found in tropical and subtropical NorthAmerica and South America. The Green Anole is the sole species of Anole lizard that's native to the US, but other species have been introduced and have reputedly successfully colonized. True chameleons are reptiles of the Old World and have tiny in common with green anoles, except the power to change colour. In the green anole, the change from brown to green is due to changes in pigment cells of the skin and the reaction to various stimuli such as temperature, light and emotion. When resting the anole is usually brown during the daytime, will turn green at night, but fright and other stimuli could cause the anole to turn green at any point.

The green anole also shares another capability with another sort of lizard, the gecko. Green anoles are not firmly related to geckos, but their toes share similar traits and both species of lizards can climb flat, smooth surfaces like glass.

Another oddity of the green anole lizard is the possession of a fan on the throat, which can often be extended randomly. Green anole lizards are territorial. The males will stretch their pink or reddish throat fan and bob their head to warn other males of their territory.

A six-inch full-lizard is mature and powerful, and thrives well in captivity. Green anole lizards need a humid environment, the leaves of plants in the enclosure should be sprayed from time to time because the hanging drops of water that supply the anole with the liquid nourishment it requires. Captives can be maintained for long periods on a diet comprised of mealworms, but a varied diet of flies and other insects is superior.

Green anole tails are very fragile and simply lost. This practice of separating from their tails common for many families of lizards. The new tail often does not have a resemblance to the original and you can see at a glance whether a green anole sports its original tail or a regenerated tail, as a regenerated tail is usually shorter and the scale pattern is dissimilar. Among the reptiles, only lizards, and not all lizards, may be able to regenerate lost tails.

A colony of one or two green anoles can be kept in a giant aquarium or other appropriate cage. The enclosure should have abundant foliage, and the enclosure should be well lit. If possible, full-on sunlight should be available to part of the enclosure. In such conditions, these hardy lizards follow the same activity they would follow in natural settings. Territories will be established and breeding may happen. Eggs may be laid beneath the bark or stones in a relatively wet area. Green anole babies, like most babies of other reptiles folks won't receive parental attention. Babies can be fed with tiny insects. The growth of green anole lizards is sort of fast, and the hardy species frequently lives as long or longer in prison than it does in natural habitats.

Despite the huge number sold as pets, the green anole lizard remains abundant in the southern US, where it frequents trees, shrubs, vines and around older houses. A significant number can be caught at night using a flash-lamp. Green Anole lizards are among the least costly reptile pets available to non-public collectors.

G. Weir is an amateur herpetologist and runs the Lizards As Pets internet site. To get more info about different types of lizards as pets visit http://lizardsaspets.org

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