There are several factors that limit the longevity of Anoles in the wild. Weather conditions, predators, parasites, and diet make it difficult for an Anole to survive much past its second year. In captivity, they have a climate-controlled environment, no predators, and external parasites are eliminated. Why, then, does a wild, natural diet limit an Anole’s longevity?

The answer is two-fold and relatively simple. Anoles are non-discriminatory, opportunistic feeders. They will try to eat anything that crawls or flies by that they think they can overpower and swallow. As a result, they sometimes make poor choices and try to eat high-risk prey. They are sometimes injured, poisoned, and even die because of what they perceive as their next meal. Contrary to legend, they are not immune to wasp, bee, or spider venoms and can die from the toxins produced by these “snacks”.

In addition, they will often eat insects that carry either disease organisms or internal parasites. Fortunately, the list of insect vectors is relatively small when compared to the vast number of species and easy to avoid.

With a bit of preparation and knowledge, we can provide our Green Anoles with a diverse, nutritious, and safe menu.

Why “wild caught” food? There are several reasons:

1) It is abundant. There are literally millions of species of insects. There are billions of individual specimens of each species.

2) It is free. You can collect as much as you want and never have to buy another cricket again.

3) It provides a diverse, nutritious menu. Most of the foods that captive Anoles eat are lacking in one mineral, vitamin, or nutrient. A broad spectrum of species will provide the widest range of nutrients.

4) Catching active prey items is good exercise. Anoles tend to get a bit lazy when fed on crickets or mealworms. Put a flying insect, like a moth, in the enclosure for some real action!

Equipment – In most of the United States, suitable insect prey is available for nine months or more each year. In fact, an experienced collector can find insects even in the dead of winter. You can’t just run around picking up Anole food with your fingers. Well, you can but a bit of equipment makes it much easier. For less than $20, you can be set up to collect an almost infinite supply of food.

1) A sweep net. A sweep insect net is more substantial than an aerial net and the bag is generally made of muslin. It is used to sweep through grassy or weedy areas and catch whatever is hiding there. You can buy a decent one for about $10.

2) A general insect/arthropod reference book. If you aren’t familiar with or adept at identifying insects or other arthropods, this is a necessity. It doesn’t have to be too technical and anything that has pictures of most of the common insects will do. You can find one for $5-$10.

3) Assorted storage containers. Empty yogurt containers are excellent for short-term storage. Just make sure that they have air holes poked through the top. You can make larger containers out of plastic shoe or sweater storage container by hot-gluing screen to a cut out portion of the lid.

Collection Techniques – We have everything that we need to get started. Now, where do we go to get this endless supply of food? There are basically two ways to amass a supply. You can go and get it or have the insects come to you.

1) Sweeping. This is the “go and get it” approach. Find a grassy or weedy area and sweep through the grass with your net. In 10 or 15 minutes, you will have a couple weeks’ supply of “goodies” for your Anole. Minimum effort and excellent results! All that is left is to sort through what you have caught.

2) Traps and Lures. Trapping and catching insects can be as easy as simply turning on the porch light. Insects are attracted strongly to both light and various odorous substances.

If you are going to use light as an attractant, an easy way to enhance its effectiveness is to shine a spotlight on a white sheet or light colored wall and capture whatever shows up. Of course, “black light” is very effective. Usually the best results are on dark moonless nights when the light source stands out better.

There are other simple traps. A coffee can buried level with the ground makes an excellent pitfall trap. It can either be unbaited or baited with a small piece of bread or bacon fat. Leave it overnight and check it early the next morning for visitors.

You can take a half loaf of unsliced bread, cut it lengthwise and put a hole in the end extending to the middle. Secure the two halves with rubber bands and put it in a grassy area. Check it in a day or two and you will find a supply of crickets and other creatures that are unwilling to leave this enormous food supply.

For sweet loving insects (moths, etc.), take the leftover stale beer from your last party and mix it with enough brown sugar to make a thin paste. Paint it on the trunks of trees, fence posts, and other objects. You will be surprised at the number of moths and other flying insects that appear. You can check it at night for moths and during the day for various flies and other insects. The natural equivalent is a tree (preferably an oak) with a wound that is running sap. They are absolute “gold mines” of activity.

We have made our way through the larger insect Orders in a quick, brief study. The best way to become familiar with what constitutes safe food for you Anole is to sit down with a reference guide before you ever collect the first insect. It isn’t too difficult to provide a varied, nutritious menu using wild caught insects. I’m sure that your Anole will appreciate it as mine have for the past 40+ years.