Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my friend won an anole at a fair. It is doing fine and he is taking very good care of it but he's under the assumption that his anole can do fine with a heat light and dusted crickets. Is he right? I tell him they also need uv.
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2.0.0. guinea pigs (Midnight, Nathan)
1.0.0 Jeweled curly tailed lizard (Hunter)
0.1.0 Hatian Curly tailed lizard (Lizzie)

I like to think about it this way: Anoles live outside. The sun is their source of heat and UVA and UVB. In captivity, it's only fair to simulate these conditions to the maximum extent possible. I know most lizards will get lethargic and seem more tame without UVB. This is merely because they need UVB to maintain their lizard-like behavior. I can't remember if UVA is what helps their skin make use of the supplements or UVB, but both would be ideal. I believe ZooMed's Powersun is among the best for this type lighting.

>>I believe ZooMed's Powersun is among the best for this type lighting.

Powersuns are a mercury vapor bulb - much too strong to use on a small anole enclosure. They are better for large enclosures.

UVB is what allows the lizard's skin to produce D3. Without D3, diurnal lizards cannot use the calcium they get, resulting in weak bones, deformity, etc. Some people dust crickets with dietary D3. There is argument whether this can truly replace UVB, though.

Anoles definitely need a source of D3, whether it comes from lighting or diet.
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Torey
Salem, Oregon, USA
1.1 Uromastyx Geyri (Joe and Arthur)
1.1 Uromastyx Maliensis (Tank and Turtle)
1.1 Anolis Carolinensis (Bowser and Leeloo)
1.1 African Dwarf Frogs (Bruce and Sheila)
1.0 Betta Splendens (Mr. Miagi)
1.0 Sunset Dwarf Gourami (Sideshow)
0.0.1 False Spotted Corydoras (Spot)
0.0.2 Metae Corydoras (Frank and Jesse)
0.0.2 Dwarf Sucking Oto (Tootsie and Dum-Dum)
1.1 Felis Domesticus (Roscolux and Jenny)

He can get by without the uv if he buys some reptical to dust the crickets. But you ssaid he already dusting them right? They should be fine. The optimal choice would be a uv lamp. But that's a $50 investment.

I hate to hear he won him at a fair. The problem with anoles is that they are harder to take care of than a goldfish (another prize won at fairs) This is not to say your friend will not take care of it, but you should direct him to this site as soon as possible. Things to keep in mind about this site are: 1. This is one guys opinion but he has a track record to prove it works. 2. Some of what he says goes to the extreme side of care. But again he has a track record to prove it.

Shaon94
http://www.kingsnake.com/anolecare/