🧭 Introduction
Green Anoles (Anolis carolinensis) are generally hardy lizards, but they are sensitive to environmental changes. Without proper humidity, temperature, lighting, and diet, even a healthy anole can become ill quickly.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- The most common health issues
- Signs of illness
- How to prevent them with proper care
- When to seek a reptile vet
🧊 1. Stress-Related Illness (Color Always Brown)
Symptoms:
- Constant brown or dull coloring
- Hiding all day
- Refusing food
- Quick to flee or freeze when approached
Causes:
- Overhandling
- Incorrect temperatures
- Tank too small or bare
- No UVB light
✅ Prevention: Use a tall tank with foliage, reduce human interaction, and monitor heating zones.
🦴 2. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD)
Symptoms:
- Weak limbs
- Curved spine or jaw
- Shaking or tremors
- Lethargy, poor climbing
Causes:
- Lack of calcium
- No UVB lighting
- Poor diet
✅ Prevention:
- Dust insects with calcium (no D3) 2–3x/week
- Provide 5.0 UVB light for 10–12 hrs/day
- Feed gut-loaded insects regularly
💨 3. Respiratory Infection
Symptoms:
- Wheezing or clicking noises
- Open-mouth breathing
- Mucus around nose or mouth
- Staying near heat constantly
Causes:
- Humidity too low
- Tank too cold or drafty
- Substrate mold buildup
✅ Prevention:
- Keep humidity at 60–70%
- Avoid placing tank near windows or fans
- Clean enclosure weekly
🦟 4. Parasites (Internal or External)
Symptoms:
- Rapid weight loss
- Visible worms in droppings
- Dull color, poor appetite
- Rubbing body against branches
Causes:
- Wild-caught insects
- Poor quarantine of new animals
- Dirty enclosure
✅ Prevention:
- Only feed store-bought or captive-raised insects
- Clean tank thoroughly
- Quarantine any new reptiles for at least 30 days
🩹 5. Injuries from Improper Handling
Symptoms:
- Tail drop
- Limping
- Bleeding toes
- Sudden hiding or freezing
Causes:
- Grabbing from above
- Squeezing body
- Falling from height without padding
✅ Prevention:
- Handle infrequently
- Always support from below
- Provide soft substrate or moss at bottom of tank
🚨 When to See a Reptile Vet
If your Green Anole shows multiple warning signs, it’s best to consult an exotic animal veterinarian.
Emergency Red Flags:
- Not eating for 7+ days
- Twitching or shaking
- Open-mouth breathing at rest
- Severely bent limbs or jaw
- Discharge from eyes, nose, or mouth
🧠 A fecal test can detect parasites or bacterial issues quickly.
🛡️ General Prevention Checklist
✅ Use UVB lighting (change every 6–12 months)
✅ Dust insects with calcium and vitamins
✅ Keep tank humid (60–70%)
✅ Provide basking temp of 85–90°F
✅ Avoid frequent handling
✅ Spot-clean daily, deep clean monthly
✅ Use thermometers and hygrometers