Mary Allen
Which lizards are suitable for keeping and caring for beginners in terraristics and still have a special charm? The red throat anole (Anolis carolinensis) is undoubtedly one of these species. You can find out more about this magnificent climber in this post.
Names
In addition to the name red-throated anole, this taxon is also often referred to as the “green iguana”. The color green characterizes the scales and the group: the anole is one of the “iguanas”, to which the real iguanas and the chameleons belong. The red-throated anole is often referred to as the “American chameleon” because it can move both eyes independently of each other (like real chameleons) and the color of the animal can change significantly depending on the light and mood. The color spectrum ranges from neon green to gray-brown.
Natural Spread
The ancestors of the red-throated anole probably originally came from Cuba and reached the Florida coast by sea. From there, they expanded into the southeastern United States. Today you can find this iguana in the US states of Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and southern Virginia. He can also be found in Hawaii through human displacement. There, as a neobiont, the lack of predators leads to considerable pollution of the natural ecosystem, as it is a massive threat to the native animal species.
Lifestyle and Diet
The approx. 20 cm long red throat anole (of which approx. 8 cm are on the trunk) are diurnal lizards that like to live together in small groups. These have a clear hierarchy. The red throat pouch, which gives this species its common name, is often used by males to scare away rival conspecifics who invade the territory. In addition to raising the throat pouch, the head is nodded vigorously. Attackers and predators are also intimidated or at least an attempt is made to do so. But this is really only the last resort because normally red throat Anolis flees as quickly as possible in case of danger.
The food spectrum includes almost all available arthropods, i.e. arthropods, such as crickets, mealworms, flies, and grasshoppers. Everything that can be overwhelmed by the size is eaten, usually in one bite.
Reproduction
When the red-throated ananolos begin courtship after the hibernation, the red throat pouch is used: this is set up and accompanied by push-up-like movements.
After mating, which lasts a few minutes, the fertilized female is pregnant for 2-3 weeks. Then the female buries one or two soft-shelled eggs, from which the young hatch after 4 to 8 weeks, which reach sexual maturity after about 7 months.
Attitude and Care
Red throat anoles naturally live together in small groups. This should be taken into account when purchasing. At the same time, the males show a pronounced territorial behavior, which consequently means that you can only keep one male together with one or more females or only a pure “group of women”.
Red throat anoles are also skilled climbers. Therefore, the terrarium must definitely have enough climbing opportunities. Hiding places are also beneficial. Since the females lay eggs, a peat-earth mixture is recommended as a substrate, which is strewn about 8-10 cm thick. Heat lamps create hot spots with a temperature of approx. 35 ° C. In the rest of the terrarium, 25 ° C – 30 ° C are optimal. The humidity should be around 60% during the day and 80 – 90% at night. In order to achieve and control these values, I recommend you use the appropriate measurement and regulation technology.
For two adult animals, I recommend a minimum size of the terrarium of 60 x 40 x 80 cm (L x W x H). Correspondingly more if there are more patients.
Conclusion
Red throat anoles are not only beautiful to look at and easy to observe but also easy to care for and recommended as a beginner’s species for newcomers to terraristics.