I need some help!

[malt_geckos]

This isn't about leos but I need people to see it and help me. I just rescued a rather large green anole from the jaws of death AKA the cat. lol. I am partial to green anoles since they are so rare down here. I need some help on how to care for him. I may keep him, but I am thinking about just letting him go once he recovers. His skin is broken a bit on his back. He didn't lose his tail andhe can still move just fine. Should I just let him go outside away from the cat? Or should I heal his wounds then let him go? What do I feed him? What light does he need? How do they get their water? Any general advice/help will be great! Thanks!

Mallorie

 

[Bodon]

i would keep him for a while just to make sure hes ok and so he can heal up a bit. Im not sure the differences in anoles but the ones i had as a kid ate crickets from the pet store.

 

[paulnj]

cross it into your green gecko line:main_laugh:

OK seriously, keep it for a week or 2 and make sure it runs, climbs and eat good. From there you can release it if you want to without wondering if it's OK.

 

[malt_geckos]

I have an uth on and he was laying over it when I left. I put a piece of drift wood in with him too. Do they drink water out of a dish or should I mist him? Thanks!

 

[malt_geckos]

Lol! I wish!

 

[paulnj]

I would give it a hatchling size water dish and maybe mist alittle on the cold side once a day.

light source and ambient temps, not belly heat as much I would think.

 

[TokayKeeper]

set him up for your FL environment.......temperate to sub-tropical, depending on where you live in the state, though either will do. Provide lots of cover, he'll need a basking spot and full spectrum lighting.

In my diurnal tanks I use reveal light bulbs (they put out low levels of UV) and reptisun 10.0 florescent lighting.

Go with a tank larger than a 10 gallon as i find it difficult to get proper thermal gradients required for many species within the space of a 10 gallon tank. Shoot for a 20 long and then you can always clean it out once he heals and use it for leos or something.

I'd also make sure he's a US green anole vs the hispañola green anole. They are introduced into FL if memory serves me right and I DO NOT know what the differences are. At least I don't remember off the top of my head.

Oh, and I found when I kept green anoles that they mostly preferred smaller crickets over large crickets. If he's a he and adult then 3-4 week crickets should do fine.

Mist the enitire tank in the mornings, the basking light should dry it out over the day no problem. No need for a water bowl as most anoles seem to not like to drink out of standing water and prefer to lap up droplets off surfaces (glass, leaves, etc).

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

While nobody suggested this, I feel it's very important to mention. Make sure you keep this anole segregated from your Leo population, and follow strict quarantine guidelines for whatever time you keep it with you. You don't want any parasite infestations with your Leos. Just wanted to make sure this got thrown out there. :main_yes:

 

[malt_geckos]

Thanks. He's in a 40 Tall. I have a light on him right now. I misted him and the tank as well. He's got a huge piece of drift wood to climb on too. I will an aquarium hood light that I can put a full spectrum bulb in. I will also get some plants to put in with him. I have tons of crickets too. He is away from everyone right now in his own little(big) tank.

 

[TokayKeeper]

when you do the UV lighting, given the height of the tank I'd go with the reptisun 10.0 over the 5.0. The UV emitted from it reaches farther than the 5.0 bulb.

 

[MichaelJ]

sounds like you got him on the right regimen for recovery.. I would also cut his lighting into day and night cycles to simulate our light patterns down here..

I kept green anoles when I was younger and crickets worked great, but I also gave them some supers and wax worms fairly often.. they are hunters by instinct and since this one is wild; he's definitely one. Anything moving will work very well.

I would also maybe rub a bit of tea tree oil on his wounds if you can.. just a light amount though to keep the area from drying out and cracking even more.

 

[malt_geckos]

Thanks all! I did get the 5.0 bulb but it seems to be ok since his piece of drift wood is tall and is higher than half of the tank. He is alert and seems to be ok. He looks at me and stuff. lol. I put three of my orchids in with him that take lower light. I also have a basking bulb higher over him and the temp is in the high 80s which is what the temp outside is. I've sprayed him a few times with water and he seemed to like it.

Thanks all! I've decided to let him go once he has recovered...I think. lol. I feel that if I keep him, he won't be able to reproduce so I've kindof killed a wild one any way if I keep him.

 

[TokayKeeper]

Thanks all! I've decided to let him go once he has recovered...I think. lol. I feel that if I keep him, he won't be able to reproduce so I've kindof killed a wild one any way if I keep him.

Eww that brought back evil memories of one of my last courses before getting my degree, Animal Behavior, and a topic covered, Fitness Levels.

My brain's been hurting too much through trips to memory lane lately.

Oh...

 

[malt_geckos]

Are you telling me to post pictures? lol

 

[Bodon]

Well i won't say worthless but id love to see some pictures too. Pictures always make a thread better.