Hispaniolan gracile anole (Anolis insolitus)

Short answers

Hispaniolan gracile anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×50×80 cm for a pair. For this species it's not the dimensions that matter most but the structure: plenty of thin, almost horizontal twigs pencil-thick or thinner, plus moss, lichen and fine foliage. A twig anole makes no use of sturdy climbing branches and cork tubes.

Hispaniolan gracile anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, with locally warmer patches of light, basking spot No more than 32–35 °C; bright light patches alone are better, at night 16–20 °C.

Hispaniolan gracile anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Hispaniolan gracile anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Hispaniolan gracile anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C, with locally warmer patches of light

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

No more than 32–35 °C; bright light patches alone are better

Humidity

65–85 %, mist in the morning

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×50×80 cm for a pair. For this species it's not the dimensions that matter most but the structure: plenty of thin, almost horizontal twigs pencil-thick or thinner, plus moss, lichen and fine foliage. A twig anole makes no use of sturdy climbing branches and cork tubes.

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

8–10 cm total length (of which about 3.3 cm is snout–vent length, the rest tail)

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Dominican Republic, endemic to the montane forests of the Cordillera Central (type locality La Palma near Constanza, La Vega province); humid montane and cloud forests at about 1000–1800 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

A very small range, cool cloud forest.

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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 Hispaniolan gracile anole (Anolis insolitus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair. For this species it's not the dimensions that matter most but the structure: plenty of thin, almost horizontal twigs pencil-thick or thinner, plus moss, lichen and fine foliage. A twig anole makes no use of sturdy climbing branches and cork tubes.), 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.