Allison's anole (Anolis allisoni)

Short answers

Allison's anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Single animal at least 60×45×80 cm, for a pair 60×60×80 cm, group from 80×60×100 cm; sturdy vertical trunks and cork tubes, densely planted.

Allison's anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C locally under the lamp, at night 20–24 °C, not below 18 °C.

Allison's anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Allison's anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–10 years in captivity.

Allison's anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C, not below 18 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C locally under the lamp

Humidity

60–70 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

Single animal at least 60×45×80 cm, for a pair 60×60×80 cm, group from 80×60×100 cm; sturdy vertical trunks and cork tubes, densely planted

Substrate

Damp tropical substrate, leaf litter, live plants, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, flies, small roaches); fruit flies or small house crickets for juveniles

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

males SVL ~10 cm, total length ~18–20 cm; females ~7–8 cm SVL

Life expectancy

approx. 8–10 years in captivity

Origin

Cuba (except the west and the extreme southeast), the Islas de la Bahia including Roatan and Guanaja as well as Cayos Cochinos (Honduras), Half Moon Caye (Belize) and Mexico (Quintana Roo, Campeche); introduced to south Florida. A trunk-crown dweller, often on palm trunks

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; no German registration duty as a non-native species; prefer captive-bred animals

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Keeping a pair (1.1) is the least stressful option; never keep males together. One male with several females is possible in a large, well-structured terrarium, but: females defend territories too, and a subordinate animal often loses weight unnoticed — separate it if that happens.

Notes

A striking blue head colour in the males (the blue-throated or Allison's anole). Sun-loving and diurnal. It lays a single egg about every 2 weeks. A common mistake: permanently too humid and poorly ventilated.

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Related species

• Ghost anole (Anolis lemurinus) – Intermediate
• Ahl's anole (Anolis ahli) – Intermediate
• Aliniger anole (Anolis aliniger) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Allogus anole (Anolis allogus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bahaman green anole (Anolis smaragdinus) – Beginner
• Bahoruco anole (Anolis bahorucoensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Baleatus giant anole (Anolis baleatus) – Intermediate
• Baracoa giant anole (Anolis baracoae) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Allison's anole (Anolis allisoni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (Single animal at least 60×45×80 cm, for a pair 60×60×80 cm, group from 80×60×100 cm; sturdy vertical trunks and cork tubes, densely planted), substrate (Damp tropical substrate, leaf litter, live plants, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.