Cuban smooth anole (Anolis alutaceus)

Short answers

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

At least 60×50×50 cm for a pair, better in wide format than tall — mainly the bottom half-metre is used. What matters is dense, small-leaved planting, grasses and a tangle of very thin twigs near the ground, plus leaf litter on the floor; a taller enclosure doesn't hurt but brings the species little benefit.

Cuban smooth anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, so deliberately not too warm; a small local warm spot around 30 °C, plus plenty of shade, basking spot Basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Cuban smooth anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Cuban smooth anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Cuban smooth anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C, so deliberately not too warm; a small local warm spot around 30 °C, plus plenty of shade

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

at least 60×50×50 cm for a pair, better in wide format than tall — mainly the bottom half-metre is used. What matters is dense, small-leaved planting, grasses and a tangle of very thin twigs near the ground, plus leaf litter on the floor; a taller enclosure doesn't hurt but brings the species little benefit.

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a leaf-litter layer and live plants; fit out the lower half of the enclosure densely with small-leaved plants, grasses and plenty of thin twigs

Feeding

Food

Tiniest prey: fruit flies, springtails, aphids, firebrats, seed beetles and the smallest crickets or house crickets, dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba and Isla de la Juventud; type locality Monte Verde, Guantánamo province. Lives in cool, heavily shaded forests.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1); never keep males together — they fight until serious injuries occur. 1.2 at most in a large, densely planted enclosure, and not always even then: a lower-ranking female can be pushed aside, eat less and hide.

Notes

A grass anole with a very long tail.

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 smooth anole (Anolis alutaceus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×50×50 cm for a pair, better in wide format than tall — mainly the bottom half-metre is used. What matters is dense, small-leaved planting, grasses and a tangle of very thin twigs near the ground, plus leaf litter on the floor; a taller enclosure doesn't hurt but brings the species little benefit.), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a leaf-litter layer and live plants; fit out the lower half of the enclosure densely with small-leaved plants, grasses and plenty of thin twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.