Half-striped anole (Anolis semilineatus)

Short answers

Half-striped anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×50×60 cm for a pair — wider and deeper rather than tall, densely fitted with grasses, ferns, thin twigs and leaf litter in the lower level. A narrow, tall enclosure takes away exactly the floor space this grass-dwelling species relies on.

Half-striped anole: What temperature does it need?

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

Half-striped anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Half-striped anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Half-striped 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

60×50×60 cm for a pair — wider and deeper rather than tall, densely fitted with grasses, ferns, thin twigs and leaf litter in the lower level. A narrow, tall enclosure takes away exactly the floor space this grass-dwelling species relies on.

Substrate

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

Feeding

Food

Very small feeder insects: fruit flies, micro-crickets, small firebrats, springtails and seed beetles, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) as well as Île de la Tortue, Île Grande Cayemite, Île à Cabrit and Isla Catalina; grass, ferns, low scrub, field margins, mangroves and pine forest from sea level up to about 1700 m

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 small grass species, very delicate. Fine food is needed.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Half-striped anole (Anolis semilineatus) in the marketplace →

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 Half-striped anole (Anolis semilineatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×50×60 cm for a pair — wider and deeper rather than tall, densely fitted with grasses, ferns, thin twigs and leaf litter in the lower level. A narrow, tall enclosure takes away exactly the floor space this grass-dwelling species relies on.), 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.