Cuban stream anole (Anolis vermiculatus)

Short answers

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

A paludarium of at least 90×80×120 cm for a pair, with a large water section and current or a waterfall; thick vertical and horizontal branches over the water, a rock background, dense planting and plenty of visual barriers. Depth is especially important for this shy species.

Cuban stream anole: What temperature does it need?

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

Cuban stream anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Cuban stream anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Cuban stream anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

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

A paludarium of at least 90×80×120 cm for a pair, with a large water section and current or a waterfall; thick vertical and horizontal branches over the water, a rock background, dense planting and plenty of visual barriers. Depth is especially important for this shy species

Substrate

A paludarium: a large, moving, filtered water area, plus a land area of forest-floor substrate with leaf litter and live plants. A rock background, thick vertical and horizontal branches over the water, dense planting for visual cover; one diggable, moist corner as an egg-laying site

Feeding

Food

On land, house crickets, field crickets, roaches, flies and larvae; in the water, small feeder fish and crustaceans. Adult males also take palm flowers and fruit as a supplement. Dust with calcium and vitamins at every other feeding

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–40 cm total length; males up to about 40 cm (snout–vent length up to 12.3 cm), females up to about 27 cm (snout–vent length around 8 cm)

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Western Cuba, Pinar del Rio Province (including Valle de Vinales and Soroa); shady, densely vegetated stream stretches, almost always within about five metres of water

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

It lives along streams and flees into the water. It needs a large water section — untypical for the genus.

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 stream anole (Anolis vermiculatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (A paludarium of at least 90×80×120 cm for a pair, with a large water section and current or a waterfall; thick vertical and horizontal branches over the water, a rock background, dense planting and plenty of visual barriers. Depth is especially important for this shy species), substrate (A paludarium: a large, moving, filtered water area, plus a land area of forest-floor substrate with leaf litter and live plants. A rock background, thick vertical and horizontal branches over the water, dense planting for visual cover; one diggable, moist corner as an egg-laying site), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.