What step follows hand introduction for building trust with anoles?

Food Association

Building trust with a green anole is a gradual process that relies on positive reinforcement, primarily through food. After the initial phase where the lizard becomes desensitized to the static presence of a hand inside its enclosure, the next critical stage involves food association. This is achieved by offering prey items, such as crickets, first using tongs and then directly from the fingers. Successfully accepting food from the keeper’s fingers signifies a major breakthrough, creating a tangible positive link between the human presence and a highly desired reward, which is essential for lowering the perceived threat level.