Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I COMPLETELY did what I always advised people not to do...

I took home a new rep...assuming I could find bountiful resources online on it's care. Well..guess what? I cannot find ANYTHING on care for this critter. Make that two critters...

So...if anyone knows ANYTHING...about care of the Polychrus Marmoratus (aka Monkey Lizard, or Monkey Anole) it would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!

So far.... I have both of them housed in a tall three sided screened tank (with glass front back and bottom)....I have many branches and fake fauna for them to hide and lay on. I'm using that fakey carpet stuff for a substrate.

As for lighting I have a Bi-Light and I am keeping them on a ...

ESU Reptile Super UV Coil-Lamp Compact Fluorescent Lamp in the day(it's both UVA and UVB). Along with a 75watt heat light for baskint.

And at night... I have a Hagen Night-Glo Incandescent Black Heat Lamps.

I also have a hermit crab heating pad on the bottom of the tank.

As for water.. I am setting up a drip system...until then I have been misting them regulary. Of which they seem to love.

As for diet.....?? I was feeding my Collared on a diet of gut loaded crickets, waxworms, butterworms, and the occasional meal worm. BUT.... other than crickets... I have no clue as to what to give these guys. And, I really do want them to have a varied diet as much as possible.

Like I said...if anyone can help it'd be great! Tell me where I am going wrong and right!

Hello Sara:
Your setup for Polychrus actually sounds pretty good. These lizards are often very cryptic in nature and are not the quickest of movers. Occasionally they are known as Chameleon Anoles. Very little work traditionally has been done with this unique group of lizards though I have seen a little more interest in them in recent years.
They like to have a setup that offers them plenty of cover so they can feel secure. They are forest lizards so leafy plants in their habitat are a plus.
Some of them will come to the ground to feed though there are those that keep to the safety of the branches. As far as food goes offer them a variety of insects and see which ones they prefer. I have had them feed on crickets as well as mealworms. You can even set up feeding cups of "goodies" up in the branches where the animals live. Many are the success stories when food is offered in this manner. You can also opt for free roaming food insects in the habitat as well. I also think they may lick from a nectar mixture as well and this is a good way to give them their vitamins.
One of the things to be real careful of is deydration. These lizards are often dehydrated when they arrive in the country and care must be taken to allow the animals to rehydrate. They come from fairly humid areas so they do need to be kept with that in mind.
I hope this info helps. Have A Great Day!!!

Thank you very much for your advice! I visisted a very reputable reptile store today(they do a lot of work with the local zoo and such) ... they said that everything so far (and I took pics to show them) seems to be on the right path. They're only comment was they looked a little thin(I don't know how long it'd been since they ate before I'd bought them)... I practically hand fed them wax worms today... they ate over a dozen in a few minutes. Sooo.. obviously those work well. AND I finally got my appropriate drip system set up this evening. Anyways...I'm going to grab some more wax worms and meal worms tomorrow. AND...Maybe some more foilage for their tank if I can find what I like...but..ONCE AGAIN.... THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Hello:
I'm glad they are feeding. That's half the battle right there. as far as them being a little thin, if they are feeding I wouldn't worry too much about them. They're not going to gain all their weight back in a day or even a week. The most important thing to remember is the deydration but it sounds like you have that well under control.
Keep us posted on how they progress. Good Luck!
Have a Great Day!!!

sorry i cant help you but i have a few questions 4 u first where did you get it from and how much