Neotropical green anole (Anolis biporcatus)

Short answers

Neotropical green anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 65×65×85 cm for one animal; for a pair from 65×65×85 cm (German 1997 expert report, based on 10.5 cm SVL).

Neotropical green anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C in the terrarium; animals from montane forest habitats may be kept cooler — the official expert report sets only 18–25 °C ambient temperature for continental rainforest and montane forest anoles, basking spot 32–35 °C locally at the basking spot, at night 20–22 °C.

Neotropical green anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; a forest dweller).

Neotropical green anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–7 years in captivity.

Neotropical green anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C in the terrarium; animals from montane forest habitats may be kept cooler — the official expert report sets only 18–25 °C ambient temperature for continental rainforest and montane forest anoles

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

32–35 °C locally at the basking spot

Humidity

70–80 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; a forest dweller)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 65×65×85 cm for one animal; for a pair from 65×65×85 cm (German 1997 expert report, based on 10.5 cm SVL)

Substrate

Forest floor or coco humus with leaf litter, dense live planting, plenty of branches and lianas

Feeding

Food

Insects: crickets, house crickets, roaches, flies, wax moths; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length about 21–31 cm; snout–vent length 7–10.5 cm, the tail is about twice as long as the body

Life expectancy

approx. 5–7 years in captivity

Origin

Southern Mexico through Central America (Guatemala to Panama) to north-western South America; tropical rainforest, arboreal

Protection status

No CITES or EU regulation protection; not specially protected. Prefer captive breeding or a legal source.

Brumation

None (tropical); only a slight rainy/dry season variation, possibly to encourage breeding

Cohabitation

Territorial. Keep them singly or as 1.1 (a male plus a female) in a large, well-planted enclosure. NEVER keep males together.

Notes

Humidity-loving; it needs plenty of height and dense planting. Common mistakes: too dry, too small. Good data (several care sheets in agreement).

Do you keep 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 Neotropical green anole (Anolis biporcatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 65×65×85 cm for one animal; for a pair from 65×65×85 cm (German 1997 expert report, based on 10.5 cm SVL)), substrate (Forest floor or coco humus with leaf litter, dense live planting, plenty of branches and lianas), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.