Gecko vs Anole: The Differences Explained (With Pictures)

When you’re choosing pets to put into your terrarium, you might want to know the key differences between a few popular choices. Both geckos and anoles are relatively easy to keep and are quite popular choices for first-time and seasoned reptile owners. If you do a little research, plan out a terrific set-up, and buy from a reputable breeder, either one can be an ideal pick.

If you don’t know much about either or want a breakdown of the differences, we will explore each lizard in-depth. You can get a basic understanding of care to decide which exciting reptile belongs in your home.

Visual Differences

At A Glance

Gecko Overview

Geckos are small reptiles living in warm climates worldwide, with over 1,600 varieties. Though several types exist, you will find the leopard gecko and crested gecko most commonly in captivity.

Geckos can inhabit several environments, making them highly adaptable and versatile. They are usually found in rainforests, deserts, and mountains. They are nocturnal creatures who do most of their venturing during nighttime hours.

Geckos are known for their vocalizations, like chirping, clicking, and other peculiar sounds. They are calm and docile with people, but they might get aggressive in some circumstances with each other.

They’ve grown in popularity as reptile companions because of their bright colors, small stature, and favorably long lifespans.

Sociability & Temperament

For reptiles, geckos are usually agreeable and slow-paced pets. They don’t mind being handled if you do it correctly without scaring them with quick movements. They are sensitive, so being as calm as possible while holding them will keep them feeling secure and content.

While they don’t mind being held, you should always limit your time touching them. Geckos can become very stressed, which can cause them to fall ill. If you grab them by their tail, they might snap it off as a defense.

Even though their tails can grow back, it’s a long process, and it can sometimes lead to infection. To keep your gecko happy and comfortable, limit your handling time to 15 minutes a day or less.

Environmental Care

Geckos love a humid, moist environment that mimics their natural habitat. The proper temperatures and humidity in their terrarium help their skin stay moist and shed appropriately. It also keeps their body temperature where it should be without getting too hot or cold.

In their enclosure, you just provide a hot and cool side so they can go where they need to be. On the cool side, temperatures should fall between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level in the cage should be roughly 30% to 40%.

You can’t use fine substrates like sand because they can accidentally ingest them. This can make them sick and even lead to death. Always use reptile carpet, newspaper, or another flat surface for the bottom of the cage.

Geckos enjoy climbing around and basking on branches. They might also enjoy their hide to sleep or cool down.

Health

Geckos require specific cage care to stay healthy. You might encounter some health issues which may outnumber those of an anole. However, they have a longer lifespan.

Geckos have a hearty appetite, enjoying gut-filled insects like crickets and mealworms. You can occasionally add fruits and veggies to the diet, like carrots or apples, but they have to be in bite-sized bits. Healthy adults eat once every 2 days to maintain appropriate weight and nutrition.

You can add a water dish to the cage big enough for your gecko to submerge its body in. Geckos need to be able to drink and soak for optimal hydration and skin health. It’s best if you also mist the enclosure to maintain the environment.

Geckos should stay moderately healthy, but they can get sick if they aren’t properly cared for. You could see issues develop, such as:

Expenses

The most significant expense will be the terrarium, and geckos are roughly $20 more expensive than anoles.

Some of the costs include the following:

The basics will cost roughly $250-$270. Once you have all of the necessary components, your monthly cost will decrease significantly.

Suitable for: 

If you’re a first-time reptile owner, you can own a gecko, but you really need to do your research first. Ensure that you understand how to care for them and can afford all the supplies that add to the final cost.

Also, if you’re buying a gecko for your child, you’ll want to ensure they are old enough to handle and care for the lizard properly. If you worry you aren’t quite ready for the responsibility, you might consider an anole instead.

Anole Overview

Anoles are small reptiles related to the ever-popular iguana but with a more compact look. Different kinds of anoles can be found in the southern states of the US, Cuba, Jamaica, and the Caribbean Islands. These little tropical lizards love warm, humid climates and need enclosures that closely mimic their natural habitats.

They love crawling around on branches, walls, and other vertical planes. They don’t have to have cage mates but work very well in same-sex pairs or groups. Because they are generally easy to care for, they do well in beginner households.

Even though these lizards are wonderful for first-time reptile owners, they still require proper care to live a long, healthy life. If you want a low-maintenance reptile that doesn’t require frequent handling, you might have everything you’re looking for in the green anole.

Sociability & Temperament

Green anoles can make fabulous pets for first-time owners. However, that doesn’t mean they are hassle-free companions. They still require particular care when they’re inside their enclosure. Green anoles might also be timid.

They might scurry away from you instead of letting you hold them. For this reason, it is essential to learn how to handle them by keeping them close.

Most anoles don’t like to be held very much, so it’s best to handle them minimally to avoid stress. If an anole is stressed out, it can drop its tail as a defense mechanism. When it does, it can cause an infection, so always be gentle and mindful.

You can house green anoles together, but there should only be one male or multiple females. If you have more than one male in the same terrarium, they can start fighting or showing aggression toward one another, leading to battle wounds.

Environmental Care

Green anoles love a pleasant, toasty environment with plenty of moisture and ventilation. You want to have at least a 10-gallon tank for one and a larger one if you have several anoles.

Having a thermometer and humidity detector inside the terrarium can help you monitor the conditions. The cage should be warmer at the top and cooler toward the floor so your anole can bask in the light or cool down as needed.

The top of the terrarium should be about 85 to 90 degrees, while the bottom should be 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity levels should stay between 60% and 80%.

Health

Conditions have to be ideal for keeping an anole happy and ailment-free. Typically, sickness comes from an inadequate diet or habitat.

Anoles love basking in the sun, so they benefit from a heat lamp. However, they also need plenty of shade. Having a terrarium full of lush plants will help them feel right at home.

They get most of their water from the droplets on plant leaves, so it’s essential to have enough greenery to suit their hydration needs, too. They also like a substrate of soil or peat moss.

Anoles love feasting on insects like mealworms or waxworms, but wild-caught insects can make them very sick.

They are generally very healthy, but a poor environment may cause issues like:

Expenses

When you set up your terrarium, it will be the costliest part. You must consider all the components needed to provide them with a perfect environment. Costs include:

The starting cost is roughly $250. After the initial set-up, you’ll only have to replace their food supply and occasionally bedding or substrate.

Suitable for:

Green anoles are suitable for first-time owners who aren’t too familiar with reptiles. Always do your research to ensure that you are providing your annual with the correct environment. If you properly care for anoles, they can live up to 8 years.

• See Also: Jamaican Giant Anole: Facts, Info & Care Guide (With Pictures)

Gecko vs Anole: A Side-By-Side Comparison

Which Type is Right For You?

Whether you have owned lizards in the past or not, each experience is different. It’s nice to get a breakdown of what the gecko and anole require so you know if you want to assume the responsibility. Because their care is so specific, it might seem a little overwhelming for a novice owner.

Just be sure to educate yourself to provide the right kind of atmosphere for your lizard. Whether you choose the gecko or anole, you’ll have an interesting creature that will teach you all about what it’s like to have a cold-blooded pet. There’s nothing like hands-on experience!

Featured Image Credit: Top – torstensimon, Pixabay | Bottom – Brett_Hondow, Pixabay