Need Help with Rescued Anoles.

[Thoth]

I rescued two anoles (basically kids of a coworker got bored with them and I got them). They are pretty much skin and bones. I have them in their tank keeping it very humid and with a water dish and water drip, to try to take care of dehydration. Trying to feed them small mealworms liberally dust with herpevite and without but they don't seem to be eating.

I've never had a herp in such a bad state.

Any suggestions/tips. I'd hate for them to die due to my ignorance and want to give them a fighting chance.

 

[WidowMaker]

It's hard to say, since they seem so abused and neglected. I've seen anoles literally starve theirselves to death from the stress. What I've done in the past with some lizards I've rescued is I would break open a mealworm/cricket/roach or whatever I was feeding it and actually (gently) force it into the lizards mouth. Many times the taste alone would get them to start eating. But please be careful if you do that, they are already in bad shape. It could be the only way to get them to eat though. Good luck in whatever you decide! Best wishes.

 

[TRowe]

One last-resort method I've tried on a rescued skin-and-bones anole who wasn't eating was to puree several crickets with a little bit of water and administer small amounts w/ an eyedropper. This can be very tricky, and should only be used when absolutely necessary, due to the possibility of suffocating/drowning the anole. Rescuing anoles is a noble thing to do, but once they're that far gone, it seems that there is only a slim chance of bringing them back.

Best of luck,

Tim

 

[Nlneff]

Waxworms.

You might try waxworms, possibly cut in half since they are very big for a anole to eat. I once had a single anole that was almost dead from malnutriotion and thats all he would eat, its like giving a starving kid twinkies to eat, not really good for them, but better then nothing. You can also try pushing the gooey end to their mouth.

If it works, once they bulk up and get some fat on them, switch to crickets, etc.

If you have access to termites, they can do wonders too.

 

[galeogirl]

You may have to dropper feed them if they're that thin, they may be too weak to catch food on their own. One drop of bug gruel at a time, though I've had them start lapping at the eyedropper after a few drops.

Best of luck.

 

[Anthony]

If you can, catch houseflies. The flight and movement should elicit a feeding response.

 

[dirtborder4life]

Anole Rescue

I would definitly try different types of insects.Just because they wont eat mealworms doesnt mean they wont eat on their own.Try crickets,roachnymphs,flys,or other types of worms.Force-feeding,or pure'ing(sp.?),should be a LAST resort because of the stress it causes,and there is the danger of,as mentioned before,drowning or suffocating.If at all possible,you should get them to eat on their own.Also,hydration is very important,and you sound like you know that.Be sure to mist the sides of the tank,or fake leaves in the tank,as most anoles wont drink from a dish,they will just lap up water droplets.Good luck,and keep us posted.

 

[Thoth]

One finally ate a cricket after trying various other things from silkworms to various flies (tough as hell to catch in this weather up here) and even dripping pureed in front of it. The other I lost literally (I can't see it in the enclosure and its nowhere to be found in my apartment). Hopefully it makes a turn around and the other one pops up.

But thanks all for your suggestions.