bahama anole

Question
I recently have befriended a brown anole which has taken up residence in my screened in lanai.I have a planter above the pool area which seems to be his favorite hangout(on a mermaid statue).Although he also enjoys traveling across the pavers to my other potted plants.He's been here since April 08', I always noticed him "checking me out" and enjoyed watching him. He also loves it when I water the plants and enjoys a fresh drink.It is now the end of Sept. and recently was concerned about enough food supply,(obviously, he has seem to manage) and so I did a little research and I'm pretty sure it's a male. Lotsa posturing and dewflap showoff. Well, much to my surprise he loves the crickets and mealworms I've decided to supplement him with. In only one week, he was jumping into my hand and enjoying his meal and even hanging out in my hand after! Obviously i've grown qiute attached to "Jackson" and am worried about winter approching. Even though he is quite taken with me, I still consider him wild and not a pet.We live in the Fl. panhandle (Fort Walton Beach) My instinct tells me to not try to capture him for the winter. Everything I've read seems to say below 60 degrees is not good. We usually have some occaisional freezes over winter. We've already had mid 50's twice at night and he is still great. Do these anoles hibernate, and do you think he has a chance to survive through winter? I would enjoy any suggestions. Thank you so much! Jackson's biggest fan! jody

Answer
Hello Jody, sorry for such a late reply.

That is amazing that he has befriended you as much as you have him.
Really interesting because Anoles are not very people friendly. Must be quite a special experience.

These Anoles are wild in your area so I am sure he can survive the weather but if you have a porch light or something in the area you can put a heat light in it to give off some warmth for him. Heat lights can get pretty expensive though, check your local pet store.

The rule for "below 60" is more of a captive influence. But sadly Anoles do die quite often in the wild due to poor temperatures. However many can survive it, its not advised to make your pet suffer in captivity. Make sense?

They don't "hibernate" per say but they do Brumate it is a form of hibernation but instead of sleeping off the winter months they will sleep or become inactive most of the time only awaking for very small amounts of food and the sunlight to warm their bodies in order to digest. But if you can hook up a heat lamp outside (WATCH FOR PLANTS AND OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY CATCH FIRE!!)

Then he will probably have a pretty good chance of surviving.

I don't suggest you bring him inside because of the stress it will put on him but it is up to you.

Good luck, let me know how it goes.