Do you have a green anole lizard as a pet but do not know the best insects for green anoles for their better health and overall growth?
I’ve been an anole lizard’s owner for more than 5 years and I can tell you from my experience what are the best insects for green anoles that you can give and at the end, I’ll tell you my 3 best insects that I give to my anoles.
The 6 Best Insects for Green Anoles
The best insects for green anoles are Crickets, Mealworms, Phoenix worms, Fruit flies, Wax worms, and Silkworms.
You can give fruits and veggies to your anoles as a treat but not always as they are insectivorous and their nutritional requirements can only be fulfilled by insects.
Now let’s see one by one the best insects for green anoles and how you can choose the best for your pet.
Crickets
Crickets are one of the best insects for green anoles as they are easily available, are rich in protein, and provide complete nutritional benefits for your anoles’ overall health.
Crickets are a very good source of protein, vitamins, and other minerals like calcium which are important for the bones of your anole lizard.
It’s good to gut-load the crickets before giving them to the green anoles to eat to ensure maximum nutritional benefits to your pet.
The crickets you purchase should be free from pesticides or contaminants. Also, do not leave uneaten crickets in the enclosure as they can nibble on your lizards.
Mealworms
Mealworms are beetle larvae and are another great source of nutrition for your anole pet. They are easily available in pet stores and contain all the nutrition required for your anole growth.
Mealworms are rich in protein and also contain some fat which can be a good source of energy for your green anoles.
Mealworms can complement other insects in your anoles’ diet as it is good to provide a variety of insects for complete vitamins and minerals. You can also gut-load them to improve nutritional benefits.
Phoenix Worms
Also known as Black Soldier Fly Larvae BSFL are small and soft diets for your green anoles. They are one of the best insets for green anoles as they are nutritious and convenient.
Phoenix worms are rich in protein and other nutrients including fat and calcium which is essential for anole lizards.
What makes Phoenix worms the best insects for green anoles is their calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. This ratio is important for reptiles like anole lizards as it helps prevent metabolic bone disease.
These worms have a naturally balanced calcium content, unlike other insects.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are small insects and are gaining popularity as a good food source for anoles and other lizards as they are not only convenient but also provide a good source of nutrition.
Fruit flies are small in size but contain a good amount of protein and other essential nutrients. They are low in fat which can be good for specific dietary requirements.
You can add fruit flies to your anole diet to add variety and it will have a different taste and texture as compared to larger insects like crickets and mealworms.
Wax Worms
Wax worms are another good food source for anoles and other lizards but shouldn’t be the primary food source of your anole. It should be given as an occasional addition to the anole diet.
Wax worms, larvae of Wax moths, are soft and plump insects that have become popular among reptile and lizard owners.
Wax worms are high in fat as compared to other insects which can be a good source of energy for your green anoles but are low in protein content which is why they should be given occasionally.
Due to high-fat content, feeding wax worms to your anoles in high quantities can lead to health issues including obesity and fatty liver disease.
Silk Worms
Silkworms are rich in protein and contain essential amino acids required for the overall health of your anole, making it one of the best insects for green anoles.
They are soft bodies nutritious insects and have a naturally balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio which is missing in many insects.
You can gut-load the silk worms before giving them to your anoles to get maximum nutrients.
Best Insects for Green Anoles – The Comparison
| Nutritional value | Gut-loading/Dusting | Calcium content | Availability | |
| Crickets | Rich in protein, B vitamins, minerals | Required gut-loading | Moderate | Easily available |
| Mealworms | Moderate protein, some fat | Benefit from dusting | Low | Easily available |
| Phoenix worms | High Protein, balanced Ca:P ratio | Minimal gut-loading | Moderate to high | Easily available |
| Fruit flies | Moderate protein, low fat | Not applicable | Low | Easily cultured at home |
| Wax worms | High fat, low protein | Minimal gut-loading | Low | Easily available |
| Silkworms | High Protein, balanced Ca:P ratio | Benefit from dusting | Moderate to high | Available from specialty breeders |
Final Decision
If you are still confused about the best insects to feed your green anoles, here are the 3 best insects for green anoles for their good health as per my experience:
- Crickets
- Phoenix Worms
- Silk Worms
You can give these three varieties of insects to your anoles or any other lizards as they are rich in protein and other important nutrients and are easily available.
If you still have any questions, you can ask in the comments below.
