Loy's anole (Anolis loysianus)

Short answers

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

50×50×80 cm for a pair, with wide cork tubes and vertical bark surfaces up to just below the ceiling and a shaded, dark background — this species lives on the trunk, not in the branches. The official minimum size under the 1997 expert report (anoles, tree- and shrub-dwellers, 6 × 6 × 8 times the snout–vent length) works out at 30×30×40 cm.

Loy's anole: What temperature does it need?

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

Loy's anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Loy's anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Loy's 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

50×50×80 cm for a pair, with wide cork tubes and vertical bark surfaces up to just below the ceiling and a shaded, dark background — this species lives on the trunk, not in the branches. The official minimum size under the 1997 expert report (anoles, tree- and shrub-dwellers, 6 × 6 × 8 times the snout–vent length) works out at 30×30×40 cm.

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants and leaf litter, plus wide cork tubes and vertical cork bark as the main structure; thin branches only as a supplement

Feeding

Food

Small feeder insects: micro-crickets, fruit flies, firebrats, aphids and small servings of meadow plankton, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins. Wax moths only as a rare addition.

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–12 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba, endemic; a trunk dweller in well-preserved, shady forests, often in the upper trunk regions

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 twig dweller with lichen-like markings.

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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 Loy's anole (Anolis loysianus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair, with wide cork tubes and vertical bark surfaces up to just below the ceiling and a shaded, dark background — this species lives on the trunk, not in the branches. The official minimum size under the 1997 expert report (anoles, tree- and shrub-dwellers, 6 × 6 × 8 times the snout–vent length) works out at 30×30×40 cm.), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with live plants and leaf litter, plus wide cork tubes and vertical cork bark as the main structure; thin branches only as a supplement), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.