Bridled anole (Anolis frenatus)

Short answers

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

From 80×80×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 80×80×110 cm (1997 expert report, at 13,65 cm SVL).

Bridled anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 21–23 °C.

Bridled anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Bridled anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–8 years in captivity.

Bridled anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–30 °C

Night temperature

21–23 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×80×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 80×80×110 cm (1997 expert report, at 13,65 cm SVL)

Substrate

Forest floor or coco humus with leaf litter, sturdy climbing branches, live planting

Feeding

Food

Large insects: crickets, migratory locusts, roaches; occasionally small invertebrates or fruit; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

very large: SVL up to ~13 cm, total length ~30–40 cm (the largest Colombian tree anole)

Life expectancy

approx. 5–8 years in captivity

Origin

Costa Rica, Panama and Caribbean Colombia up to around 900 m altitude; tropical lowland rainforest, high up on thick tree trunks

Protection status

No CITES or EU regulation protection; not specially protected.

Brumation

None (tropical)

Cohabitation

Very large and strongly territorial. Keeping them singly is strongly recommended; NEVER keep males together (serious injuries and deaths). Keep them as a pair only for breeding, in a very large enclosure under supervision.

Notes

Specific husbandry data are sparse – the climate figures are derived from its ecology plus care of large tree anoles (the knight anole group). Its size, strength and flight behaviour call for experienced keepers and a large terrarium.

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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

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What you need to start

To keep Bridled anole (Anolis frenatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×80×110 cm for one animal; for a pair from 80×80×110 cm (1997 expert report, at 13,65 cm SVL)), substrate (Forest floor or coco humus with leaf litter, sturdy climbing branches, live 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.