Cuban knight anole (Anolis equestris)

Short answers

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

From 100×70×150 cm for one animal or a pair (tall format).

Cuban knight anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot up to 35 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Cuban knight anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Needed — a good-quality UVB lamp over the basking spot (e.g. T5 HO 6%); glass and plastic block UVB, so replace the lamp annually.

Cuban knight anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~8–10 years.

Cuban knight 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

Basking spot up to 35 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Needed — a good-quality UVB lamp over the basking spot (e.g. T5 HO 6%); glass and plastic block UVB, so replace the lamp annually

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×70×150 cm for one animal or a pair (tall format)

Substrate

Soil and coco humus or forest floor, densely planted, plenty of climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects, small vertebrates, a little fruit

Feeding interval

Adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

Up to ~45–50 cm total length (the largest anole)

Life expectancy

~8–10 years

Origin

Cuba (naturalised in Florida)

Protection status

—

Brumation

A slight winter rest of ~2–3 months (20–23 °C by day)

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is the least stressful. A pair (1.1) is possible in a large, well-structured enclosure, but: pairs can also be incompatible, so observe them and keep a way to separate them ready. Males are intolerant of each other — several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Several females are not recommended either: one occupies the basking spot, the other sits in a corner and wastes away — usually without a single visible bite wound.

Notes

The largest anole species; when disturbed it can bite hard — for experienced keepers only.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Cuban knight anole (Anolis equestris) currently offered

• 1.1 Anolis equestris potior – Lauf · 1,200 €

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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 knight anole (Anolis equestris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×70×150 cm for one animal or a pair (tall format)), substrate (Soil and coco humus or forest floor, densely planted, plenty of 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.