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 #2066264


Copacabana
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 Anole night lighting - any advice?

I have read that most reptiles have excellent night vision. Does this extend to anoles? The reason I ask is I am currently debating whether or not to add a night/lunar light to my enclosure. If I do add a night-light, it will have to be non-heat emitting. So, perhaps some sort of LED. Has anyone had particular success with night lighting? Again, for my application the night-light cannot emit heat. I’ve read through many posts on this site, but if I overlooked this topic being discussed already I do apologize.

For reference, I have a 75 gallon tank which will house no more than four anoles. I am currently testing the cycles on everything (lights, heat panel, thermostat, mister, etc.) before I add anoles. I am all ready to go except for any night lighting needs.

I appreciate any thoughts or recommendations. The night-light would be for the anoles, not for me. So, if they don’t need one and if the jolt from bright day lights to darkness doesn’t affect them, I guess I won’t waste the money.

Thank you in advance for your help.
09/01/09  12:34pm

 #2066277


Kingcosmo7
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2066264


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

Well for starters, anoles are mostly active during the day, as soon as night hits they will fall asleep. Also, If you have a 75 gallon tank, you could probably house like a dozen anoles, that is if your talking about green anoles, which the males grow about 8 inches, but have potential to grow bigger. I wouldn’t get the night light, it would probably be best to follow lighting hours that would be found in their natural habitat. (basically, turn off the light when it gets dark out side, and on when the sun comes up)
09/01/09  01:15pm

 #2066295


Copacabana
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   Message To: Kingcosmo7   In reference to Message Id: 2066277


 Green Anoles & night lighting - thoughts?

Thank you for responding. I should have mentioned that I am, in fact, talking about green anoles. I am mainly sticking to four or fewer because I want them to have enough elbow room. Also more mouths tends to mean more food, excrement, upkeep, cleaning, etc.

You made some good points. I think my main concern is that the room they are in gets pitch black at night...much darker than outdoors with the moon, streetlights, etc. I’ve done a lot of research but there is not much out there on non-heat emitting night lighting. Thank you again for your thoughts. This helps to talk it out!
09/01/09  02:11pm

 #2066338


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2066264


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

I’d like to say right off the bat that I’m impressed and happy that you’re testing your setup before you buy the anoles. Most people tend to buy the anoles without researching them, and then spend hundreds of dollars correcting mistakes in their setup.

You don’t want a light that your anoles will be able to see at night, because the darkness helps them sleep during their night cycle. Lights just wake them up after a while, and they’ll have trouble sleeping. They apparently can’t see red, so if you’re looking for nighttime lighting that they can’t see, but you can, I hear infrared lights will do the trick. I believe they do give off heat, however, which is good if your temperatures at night get under 60 F.

If you aren’t around or awake in the morning or when the lights go off at night, you can buy a reptile timer. I have some myself, and it’s great for having the lights turn on and off at the same times everyday. When I go on a vacation, my roommate mists and feeds my anoles, but I know he wouldn’t be able to turn their lights on around the proper time, so again, timers are really helpful for establishing a schedule.

With a 75 gallon, the most anoles to have are 6-7. The rule of thumb is 10 gallons per anole, bare minimum. Four anoles in a 75 gallon is excellent, because it will give them plenty of room. Cramping anoles together only stresses them, and will not show their natural behavior.

If you haven’t already, I’d advise you to check out Atrax’s caresheet. It’s very detailed and accurate. Link
09/01/09  04:10pm

 #2066355


Copacabana
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 2066338


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

Thank you, Twilight, for your thoughtful response. I, too, have read that the red light is not visible for anoles. Atrax also sent a message to say they do not need any light at night. I think from all of your comments, I’m just going to forget the night light altogether. I don’t need to see them at night and I definitely don’t want to disturb them.

Yes, the timers for the lights are great and a must. I definitely agree with you there. My entire system, except for actual feeding, is pretty automated. I have timers for the lights, a misting system with a timer, and proportional thermostat with night drop for the heat panel. I am definitely guilty of researching a ton! I have had everything going now for over a week and so far the temperature and humidity are spot on. And, my plants have survived so that made me happy as well. I had anoles as a kid, but sadly I didn’t have a good mentor (or this forum) and did not provide a proper habitat. This time around I am trying to do things correctly. This is, by far, the best forum I have found.

Thank you again for your post.
09/01/09  04:36pm

 #2066361


TwilightRealm
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2066355


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

Just one last question--are your thermometers digital or analog? Analogs can be inaccurate by several degrees, but digital thermometers tend to be spot on.
09/01/09  04:44pm

 #2066373


Copacabana
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   Message To: TwilightRealm   In reference to Message Id: 2066361


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

It’s funny you asked. I started with analog but could tell right away something was up because it just didn’t seem right. With a 75 gallon, I knew I could easily get a good temperature gradient going from one side to the other. The analogs were showing about a two degree difference, so I switched to digital and am glad I did. During the day I get high 70s on the cool side (probably 75 - 78) and up to around 92 in the basking spot.



09/01/09  04:56pm

 #2067889


Draconiz666
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   Message To: Copacabana   In reference to Message Id: 2066373


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

i agree with the above, anoles sleep through the night (except if they get up in the night to lay eggs) you’ll probably find, that if they have a routine time that the lights go off, they’ll start heading to ’bed’ round about that time naturally - or seek out somewhere to sleep. each of my guys has their own preferred place to sleep and they head towards it about half an hour before the lights go out. occasionally of course they might not, but they’ll soon go to sleep when it gets dark.



09/05/09  05:43am

 #2068031


Tiari
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   Message To: Draconiz666   In reference to Message Id: 2067889


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

I have to say, I’m in that catagory too and amused, my anole’s do the same thing. Their timer goes off at 10pm, and just before it, they venture to their preferred spots. One likes to stick to the glass and sleep, how that’s restful I have no idea!
09/05/09  12:55pm

 #2068033


Draconiz666
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   Message To: Tiari   In reference to Message Id: 2068031


 Anole night lighting - any advice?

haha, Thor once fell asleep clinging upside down to the mesh on the top of the tank!


generally if they sleep on the glass - especially in winter - i wake them up and move them - i got bitten once for doing that! they’re too cute



09/05/09  01:02pm


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