Gundlach's anole (Anolis gundlachi)

Short answers

Gundlach's anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×80 cm for a pair — tall format with sturdy, wide vertical trunks and cork tubes, dense foliage and shaded corners; mainly the lower trunk areas are used.

Gundlach's anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C — decidedly cool for an anole; the preferred body temperature is around 24 to 26 °C, basking spot Only a mildly warmed spot, around 28 °C, with extensive shade alongside it — no strong basking lamp, at night 18–21 °C.

Gundlach's anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: A low level of UVB is enough; this species lives under a closed canopy and barely basks. A UV source at sufficient distance with plenty of shaded foliage alongside it — not a strong lamp forcing a basking spot.

Gundlach's anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Gundlach's anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C — decidedly cool for an anole; the preferred body temperature is around 24 to 26 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

Only a mildly warmed spot, around 28 °C, with extensive shade alongside it — no strong basking lamp

Humidity

65–85 %, mist in the morning

UVB

A low level of UVB is enough; this species lives under a closed canopy and barely basks. A UV source at sufficient distance with plenty of shaded foliage alongside it — not a strong lamp forcing a basking spot.

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×80 cm for a pair — tall format with sturdy, wide vertical trunks and cork tubes, dense foliage and shaded corners; mainly the lower trunk areas are used

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo at all heights

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

15–19 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Puerto Rico, endemic; closed-canopy montane forest of the Luquillo range, about 240 to 1160 m altitude

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

Cool montane forest — above 28 °C things get critical for 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 Gundlach's anole (Anolis gundlachi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair — tall format with sturdy, wide vertical trunks and cork tubes, dense foliage and shaded corners; mainly the lower trunk areas are used), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo at all heights), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.