Cuban dark bark anole (Anolis argillaceus)

Short answers

Cuban dark bark anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×80 cm for a pair — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground.

Cuban dark bark anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Cuban dark bark anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Cuban dark bark anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Cuban dark bark anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 32–35 °C

Humidity

65–85 %, mist in the morning

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×80 cm for a pair — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground

Substrate

Moist forest-floor substrate with leaf litter, with cork bark and bark slabs above as perching surfaces plus dense, low shrubbery of small-leaved plants; thin twigs supplement this but don't replace the bark surfaces

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, flies, firebrats and wax moths, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–12 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter with a shorter photoperiod

Cohabitation

Pairs (1.1) are the safest option; never keep males together — they fight until seriously injured. Females also defend their own, smaller territories: a second female is often harassed so much by the dominant one that she eats less and hides. One male with two females only works, if at all, in a considerably larger, densely structured enclosure and only with a spare enclosure ready.

Notes

A tiny twig dweller, very slow in its movements.

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 Cuban dark bark anole (Anolis argillaceus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground), substrate (Moist forest-floor substrate with leaf litter, with cork bark and bark slabs above as perching surfaces plus dense, low shrubbery of small-leaved plants; thin twigs supplement this but don't replace the bark surfaces), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.