Ecosystem
- Thread starter -Exotic
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invertkurt
Arachnopeon
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An ecosystem? Probably at least an acre of land. Seriously, though, I would just use one species. You would need a large, well-planted natural-looking terrarium. What kind of 'ecosystem' do you want?
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Mixing species is rarely a good idea.
Just googling those two species brought up more than a few instances of anoles attacking the tails of grass lizards, stuff like that. If you want both lizards, get both, but house them seperately. (Also I don't know about the grass lizards, but most anoles being sold are wild-caught and carrying parasites as it is. Not something you want a tankmate to catch.)
Just googling those two species brought up more than a few instances of anoles attacking the tails of grass lizards, stuff like that. If you want both lizards, get both, but house them seperately. (Also I don't know about the grass lizards, but most anoles being sold are wild-caught and carrying parasites as it is. Not something you want a tankmate to catch.)
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than go against the advise
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Pet stores are notorious for doing things wrong and making animals sick/getting them killed. They are not where you should be looking to learn about proper pet care.
As Mushroom Spore said “Pet stores are notorious for doing things wrong” they do not plan on keeping the animals very long and do not care if they die later, in the customer’s care.
Many people mix species and many of them also have animals die a premature death because of it. Some people get away with mixing species.
What it really boils down to are two types of reptile keepers.
Type 1 Wants to do whatever they want and do not think about what is safest and best for their animals. What the heck, Long Tails and Anoles are cheap.
Type 2 Wants only what is best and safest for their animals. To them there are no cheap animals, only lives they have taken the responsibility for.
Where you are now is deciding on what type you will be.
Do what you want regardless or do what is best for the animals.
Many people mix species and many of them also have animals die a premature death because of it. Some people get away with mixing species.
What it really boils down to are two types of reptile keepers.
Type 1 Wants to do whatever they want and do not think about what is safest and best for their animals. What the heck, Long Tails and Anoles are cheap.
Type 2 Wants only what is best and safest for their animals. To them there are no cheap animals, only lives they have taken the responsibility for.
Where you are now is deciding on what type you will be.
Do what you want regardless or do what is best for the animals.
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- Mar 13, 2007
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^While anoles and long tailed grass lizards may not be the best choices, don't be discuraged; muti-species vivariums are possible. There was a very well (yet breifly) written article in Reptiles Magazine (Aug 2005 w/ Red Ackie Cover if I'm not mistaken.) Good Luck ~ Rex
invertkurt
Arachnopeon
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- Jul 17, 2007
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If you absolutely want to have a mixed species vivarium...
1) Use species from the same area of the world of similar sizes, or at least from the same kind of environment of the similar sizes.
2) The species should have a similar diet.
3) Species of different levels work best. The easiest would be a semi-aquatic and arboreal species or a terrestrial and arboreal species.
4) Make sure the vivarium is heavily planted and has more than one basking spot.
5) If you want to use anoles, find a terrestrial sub-tropical lizard about the same size. If you have a complex back wall and lots of plants they probably won't bother each other.
6) Finally, you are best off not doing it. If you have kept multiple species for a long time then I would say this isn't so bad.
1) Use species from the same area of the world of similar sizes, or at least from the same kind of environment of the similar sizes.
2) The species should have a similar diet.
3) Species of different levels work best. The easiest would be a semi-aquatic and arboreal species or a terrestrial and arboreal species.
4) Make sure the vivarium is heavily planted and has more than one basking spot.
5) If you want to use anoles, find a terrestrial sub-tropical lizard about the same size. If you have a complex back wall and lots of plants they probably won't bother each other.
6) Finally, you are best off not doing it. If you have kept multiple species for a long time then I would say this isn't so bad.
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Basically a multispecies enclosure needs to be large...and the two species need similar but not too similar niches.
I can see anoles+ a small nocturnal gecko species(maybe mourning/house geckos) working ok. Chances are any babies produced will have to escape from being eaten by both sets of parents, but with the anoles out at day and the geckos at night it should work well enough.
I can see anoles+ a small nocturnal gecko species(maybe mourning/house geckos) working ok. Chances are any babies produced will have to escape from being eaten by both sets of parents, but with the anoles out at day and the geckos at night it should work well enough.