Ricord's anole (Anolis ricordii)

Short answers

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

At least 80×80×100 cm for 1 animal, 15% more floor area for each additional animal; with sturdy vertical and angled branches. The bigger the animal, the more space it needs — for the large species, tanks up to 70×70×180 cm are common.

Ricord's anole: What temperature does it need?

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

Ricord's anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Ricord's anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Ricord'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

At least 80×80×100 cm for 1 animal, 15% more floor area for each additional animal; with sturdy vertical and angled branches. The bigger the animal, the more space it needs — for the large species, tanks up to 70×70×180 cm are common.

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo at all heights

Feeding

Food

Large insects: grasshoppers, large roaches, beetles and beetle larvae, wax moths; plus snails and occasionally soft fruit. Dust regularly with calcium and vitamins.

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–38 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Hispaniola: Haiti and the west of the Dominican Republic; four subspecies, distributed across the Massif de la Hotte, the Massif de la Selle and the north. The canopy of tall trees.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter with a shorter photoperiod

Cohabitation

Pairs (1.1) or singly; never keep males together — they fight until seriously injured. In giant anoles the females are territorial too and often do not tolerate each other, and given the bite force of these animals, rank fights quickly end in serious bite wounds. Keeping several females with one male is therefore not recommended.

Notes

A giant anole of the canopy. It needs a large, tall enclosure.

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 Ricord's anole (Anolis ricordii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (At least 80×80×100 cm for 1 animal, 15% more floor area for each additional animal; with sturdy vertical and angled branches. The bigger the animal, the more space it needs — for the large species, tanks up to 70×70×180 cm are common.), 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.