Bark anole (Anolis distichus)

Short answers

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

60×45×80 cm for 1–2 animals; wide, vertical cork and bark surfaces as the main perching area.

Bark anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot Local basking spot, 40–45 °C surface temperature, at night 20–23 °C.

Bark anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Bark anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 3–5 years in captivity.

Bark anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Local basking spot, 40–45 °C surface temperature

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×80 cm for 1–2 animals; wide, vertical cork and bark surfaces as the main perching area

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter, broad bark and cork surfaces, planting

Feeding

Food

Small insects: ants (preferred), flies, micro crickets, small crickets, beetles; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults every other day, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

small: up to ~12.7 cm total length (SVL ~5 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 3–5 years in captivity

Origin

Hispaniola (Haiti, Dominican Republic) and the Bahamas; naturalised in southeastern Florida. Inhabits both dry scrubland and humid forests, and lives just as readily in gardens, parks and on house walls

Protection status

No CITES or EU regulation protection; not specially protected. (18 described subspecies with strong colour variation.)

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Territorial. Keep them singly or as one male plus one female on broad trunk surfaces with visual barriers. NEVER keep males together.

Notes

It is particularly fond of ants; it needs broad vertical bark surfaces for circling the trunk. Strong subspecies and colour variation. Small feeder animals are needed.

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 Bark anole (Anolis distichus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×80 cm for 1–2 animals; wide, vertical cork and bark surfaces as the main perching area), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter, broad bark and cork surfaces, planting), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.