Some physical characteristics you can use to determine a type of lizard include size, color, pattern, and body shape. You should also think about changes in pattern or color on different parts of your lizard’s body. You can also take your lizard to a pet store and ask an employee to help you identify it.
If you can’t seem to figure out what type lizard you have, reach out to an expert. Ask your local veterinarian if they are comfortable with lizards, or if they know someone who is. You can also look for local or online herpetology groups that may be able to help you. It’s important that you identify the type of lizard you have because many species have very specific nutritional requirements and will get sick if you do not properly meet their needs.
Do some research online and figure out how much to feed your lizard. Internet research can give a base line of where to start with feeding and then you can adjust based on your specific lizard.
Buy the smallest crickets offered at your pet store. If there is only “one size” available at a pet store, go to a different one. Anoles need to be given small crickets.
If you keep crickets around in bulk, “gut-load” them by feeding them a vitamin rich cricket food prior to feeding them to your lizards. This way, all of the nutritious food your crickets just ate will then, in turn, be passed on to your anole. Equally, if your crickets are starved, your anole soon will be too.
Anoles may also eat waxworms, fruit flies, small worms, canned crickets, or earthworms.
If the crickets are small enough, they probably won’t bother your anole. However, some owners of anoles advise to never release or leave crickets loose in the tank with the lizard. Rather to place them in a separate container, move the anole to the container for 5–10 minutes to eat, and then move the anole back to his tank when done.
Make sure to refrigerate the mealworms, as they turn into beetles if left at room temperature.
The number of insects that your gecko will be able to eat in 15 minutes will vary, depending on your lizard’s size, age, and appetite. Over time, as you get to know your lizard, you will learn how many insects to feed it.
When you feed crickets highly-nutritious foods, that nutrition is passed on to your lizard. On the other hand, when you feed your lizard crickets that have malnutrition, your lizard will not get enough nutrition.
To coat the crickets, put them in a plastic bag with the supplement powder. Shake it up gently until the insects are completely covered. They should be totally white when sufficiently coated.
Your lizard may have particular favorites. Give them a mixture to choose from and then see which type of greens get eaten the most.
Lettuce has very little nutritional value. However, it does hydrate a lizard.
Use a bowl that is shallow enough so that the lizard can see the food if it is standing on the ground. Remove uneaten greens daily. Also clean out the bowl before refilling it the next day.
Pellets and seeds should not make up the majority of your lizard’s diet.
There are several types of calcium dusts available for purchase. If the lizard gets a lot of sunshine or UVB light, then you can use the outdoor version. If it is largely out of the sunlight and UVB, then you should use the indoor type.
