Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, everyone's gotten me concerned about my green anole who's brown all the time. The discussion below (the very LONG thread) tells me that something isn't right. I've had her for a few months and she's NEVER green. The closest she gets is a grey-green when she sleeps. The cool corner of the cage doesn't ever get warmer than 74* and the basking spot tonight was 86.9*. I've decided to boost the temps a couple of degrees, though I thought these were acceptable, to see if that makes a difference in her color. The room (and cage) drop to 66* at night.

The tank is a glass 29g high with a screen lid, 5.0 UVB fluorescent and an incandescent basking bulb over the foliage-free section. I mist the enclosure twice a day - the humidity ranges from 50% to 85%. There's plenty of fake greenery and wood/bamboo stuff to climb on and hide in, plus a coconut hide. She's eating fine, though less than a month ago. She's very alert and active, with no visible problems except her color. You can see her (blurry and brown as can be) at the left center of the picture on the chunky wood.

Please let me know if there's anything I could be missing. I'll post again when I find out if the temperature change makes a difference in her color.

Thanks for any advice!

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Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

You might try increasing UVB exposure. Either go with a more powerfull bulb, or you might try, if space allows, positioning the tank so that your anole is exposed to some sunlight...particularly in the morning. You can't beat the real thing.

Also, your anole may feel overly exposed in her basking area and may not be spending enough time there. She'll feel more secure basking if she can't see big moving things in her environment. It seems to me that some anoles are considerably more skittish than others.

I bet UV is the issue.

Placing it near a window won't help. The glass filters out the UVB, so it's useless, and will only raise tempratures, which won't help in this situation.
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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Zeo)
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Unnamed, being sent right now from a reptile rescue)
1.0.0 Golden Retriever, Rocky, 10 years young

well, that's not entirely true. It depends on the age/thickness of your windows. I've done some research and it appears that I'm getting about 12% of sun UVB through my old, thin window. Considerably more UVA penetrates...and the light is coming down through my screen top. Anyhow, it makes for a significant increase in UV exposure, supplementing my bulb. I also think there is something about the spectrum of natural light, outside of UV levels, that is beneficial.

Of course you need to monitor the temps in your tank. I have a 55 gallon so sunlight heating is manageable for me. That may be more difficult in a tank the size of el_toro's, true.

You are certainly correct if you have modern double-pane windows.

NP
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

np
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Torey
D'oh! 0.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Arthur)
0.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Leeloo)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

Damn.... well, I hope you figure it out!
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Got hips like Cinderella / Must be having a good shame / Talking sweet about nothing / Cookie I think you're Tame

el_toro, you have nothing to worry about. I gave my female an 'anole paradise' tank, and she was exactly what you described. She was never green, but was healthy, eating, drinking, and active, etc.

I gave her 2 repti sun 5.0 flourescents that i changed every year, plus a 60W basking spot.

If its eating ok, and is active, you shouldnt worry too much...no one knows exactly why an anole changes colors. And its not just because thyre stressed, or cold, etc.

I would only concentrate on its health, not its colors. Happy anoles arent always green, and unhappy ones arent always brown,

M.N
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Phelsuma Madagascariensis Grandis, Phelsuma Laticauda, Stenodactylus Petrii, Rhacodactylus Ciliatus, Eublepharis Macularius, Anolis Carolinensis, Agalychnis Callidryas, Hyla Cinerea, Mantella Madagascariensis, Dendrobates Azureus, Mantella AurienticaMy Email

also, you might try to put up a background for the cage. See if that helps with the colors,

M.N
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Phelsuma Madagascariensis Grandis, Phelsuma Laticauda, Stenodactylus Petrii, Rhacodactylus Ciliatus, Eublepharis Macularius, Anolis Carolinensis, Agalychnis Callidryas, Hyla Cinerea, Mantella Madagascariensis, Dendrobates Azureus, Mantella AurienticaMy Email