Puerto Rican emerald anole (Anolis evermanni)

Short answers

Puerto Rican emerald anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×80 cm (height).

Puerto Rican emerald anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–29 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Puerto Rican emerald anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Puerto Rican emerald anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Puerto Rican emerald anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–29 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×80 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus, dense planting, moss, smooth branches, a rain system

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, flies, wax moths

Feeding interval

daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

14–18 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Puerto Rico – humid montane forest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Pairs (1.1) are the safest option. Two males do not get along — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with two females only works in a large enclosure and not always even then, because in this species the females defend a territory too; a lower-ranking female can be pushed aside, eat less and hide. Several basking and hiding spots are important so that lower-ranking animals can get out of the way, as is separate feeding once the animals differ in size.

Notes

Brilliant emerald green; it lives on smooth, damp trunks in montane forest – to be kept more humid and cooler than the Caribbean dry anoles. Considered a particularly quick learner.

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 Puerto Rican emerald anole (Anolis evermanni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×80 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus, dense planting, moss, smooth branches, a rain system), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.