Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi!
I'm an elementary school kindergarten teacher's aid and art instructor for grades k-6. I recently decided to set up a terrarium for the kindergarten class, and once set up I purchased anoles for it.
Raised in the country, I erroneously had the frame of mind, "a lizard's a lizard" and they're all pretty much easy care. Being about 50, I blame every brain bubble on old age, and this was no exception. I did no research before setting up the terrarium and very little research in choosing the lizards for it. To rub salt in the wound, I went to what I now consider to be the wrong reptile shop.
I told the salesman I had a ten gallon tank, and asked how many green anoles could live in it. His reply, "as many as you want."
I settled on three, and he grabbed and bagged them as fast as he could. Then I asked what they ate, and he replied, "crickets." Anything else? Nope. So he sold me crickets and a water dish.
Well, a day after I got them home, I had a few questions come to mind about certain things, and the behavior of the beasties, so I went on line and did what I should have done in the first place--research, research, research.
I discovered: Anoles stress easily---result: they won't be going to the school. They become mine alone, which doesn't break my heart, I love them already! Anoles drink from leaves and things and should be misted for that and other reasons---result: they don't need a water dish. (Besides, the crickets died and polluted the water)
Two males cannot live in the same environs---result: I had to return the second male. Now I have a happy little twosome that have already mated.
When I returned the anole, I had it in a brown bag (as that's how they gave it to me), and I told the guy as he was opening it: be careful, it's at the top. He opend, reached in and the lizard took a flying leap. *sigh*
So, he doesn't even quarantine it---just pops it back in with his lizards! He didn't know who I was, when I'd bought it, etc.
Okay, onward. I don't go there again.
Meantime---sorry, I'm a bit longwinded and very excited about my two new friends.
I have a question.......well, maybe more.
Since they have mated, how long will they continue to mate? How long before she begins to show? I understand that they may not hatch if the tank is not warm enough (80 degrees or so??) So, if she lays them in the tank, and I have to remove them for incubation, how will I find them? If I leave them and they hatch, will the adults eat them? Now. If I successfully get through the mating/laying/incubating thing, what do I do with the young 'uns? Sell them, find homes for them? Do pet shops buy them?
For anyone generous enough to help me with these questions, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
BTW.....the setup: 10 gallon tank, about 6-8 inches of potting soil, two plants, a bit of gravel for effect, and a grape wood basking branch. It arches up high, about 3 inches from the top screen. I have crickets to feed them, and this green, fruit-like food I feed the crickets. A friend with several reptiles advises me to dust the crickets with calcium as well, because they are breeding and she needs extra calcium.
Both the anoles seem very content. They're green at night when the light is off, but in the morning when I turn it on, they begin to move around and swing back and forth between green and brown, depending on if they're eating, basking, etc.

Welcome! Always good to hear from another newbie to anole keeping. The others on this forum can help more with breeding advice, but I would warn you that if you try to find and incubate the eggs, they have to be in the same orientation that they were when you found them. Unlike bird eggs, reptile eggs shouldn't be turned or it will kill the developing embryo.

I have found that a plastic water bottle with a pinhole in the bottom can be great for watering them. The water drips and splashes on the a branch or leaves and the anoles will see it and drink there.

Good luck!

Thx so much for the welcome and the advice! Not turning the eggs for incubation is one of the FEW things I've learned and retained so far, but I'll be learning more in the future, I suspect!

Hello Elaine 11155:
Welcome to the boards. Some of us have been here for a long time and have seen lots of great information given here. Spend some time checking back into the archives and you should find lots of useful info.
On breeding the Anole's the babies hatch very quickly (depending on temp) and should be housed separately from the adults. They also are very prone to dessication so the availability of water for them to drink is very important. Care must be taken not to over-saturate the habitat as fungal infections of the feet are likely. Being very small (about an inch)their bodies can't retain a lot of water so it must be offered often.
The good news is they grow very quickly once they start eating and within a couple months they easily triple in size. Pinhead crickets and wingless fruit flies are a great first meal for the baby Anoles. Within a couple weeks they can easily take down week old crickets. Baby meal worms offered in a dish are also relished by the babies.
Good luck and if you have any other questions feel free to post them.
Good Luck and Have A Great day!!!