Barbados anole (Anolis extremus)

Short answers

Barbados anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 50×50×80 cm for one animal; for a pair from 55×50×80 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Barbados anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot Local basking spot 32–40 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Barbados anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0, plus strong lighting).

Barbados anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~4–6 years.

Barbados anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Local basking spot 32–40 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0, plus strong lighting)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 50×50×80 cm for one animal; for a pair from 55×50×80 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Forest floor or soil, planted, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Invertebrates: crickets, small grasshoppers, roaches, flies, occasionally waxworms; plus occasional fruit; dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

Several times a week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 15–20 cm total length (males about 20 cm, females about 17 cm)

Life expectancy

~4–6 years

Origin

Barbados (endemic); naturalised on Bermuda, St. Lucia and in Venezuela, with unstable occurrences in Florida and on Trinidad and Tobago. Habitat: dry forest to moderately humid forest, all habitats except open grassland

Protection status

—

Brumation

None (a slight drop is possible)

Cohabitation

1.1 to 1.4. Never males together — they fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner. One male can be kept with up to four females if the enclosure is large enough and offers several basking spots and visual screens; if the females are too crowded the lower-ranking animal loses condition, often without a visible bite wound.

Notes

A robust, semi-arboreal species. The figures are largely derived from general anole husbandry plus its origin.

Do you keep this species?

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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 Barbados anole (Anolis extremus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 50×50×80 cm for one animal; for a pair from 55×50×80 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Forest floor or soil, planted, 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.