Homolechis anole (Anolis homolechis)

Short answers

Homolechis anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×50×60 cm (L×D×H) for a pair — floor space, a leaf-litter layer and low, standing trunks matter more than height. Per the expert report's enclosure formula for ground-dwelling anoles (6 x 8 x 6 times snout–vent length), the official minimum at 6 cm snout–vent length would be 36×48×36 cm.

Homolechis anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, with cooler, shaded areas, basking spot 32–35 °C local basking spot, with shaded areas alongside, at night 20–24 °C.

Homolechis anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Homolechis anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Homolechis anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C, with cooler, shaded areas

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C local basking spot, with shaded areas alongside

Humidity

65–85 %, mist in the morning

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×50×60 cm (L×D×H) for a pair — floor space, a leaf-litter layer and low, standing trunks matter more than height. Per the expert report's enclosure formula for ground-dwelling anoles (6 x 8 x 6 times snout–vent length), the official minimum at 6 cm snout–vent length would be 36×48×36 cm.

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

12–18 cm total length (of which 4–6 cm is snout–vent length, the rest tail); males noticeably larger than females

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba and Isla de la Juventud, from the lowlands up to about 1500 m; forest edges, open woodland, gardens and settlements. The subspecies A. h. turquinensis lives in the Sierra Maestra above 1500 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 common Cuban species, robust and easy to breed.

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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 Homolechis anole (Anolis homolechis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×50×60 cm (L×D×H) for a pair — floor space, a leaf-litter layer and low, standing trunks matter more than height. Per the expert report's enclosure formula for ground-dwelling anoles (6 x 8 x 6 times snout–vent length), the official minimum at 6 cm snout–vent length would be 36×48×36 cm.), 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.