Sheplan's anole (Anolis sheplani)

Short answers

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

50×50×80 cm for a pair — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground.

Sheplan's anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, local warm spot up to about 30 °C — keep noticeably cooler than the lowland anoles, basking spot Basking spot 32–35 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Sheplan's anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Sheplan's anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Sheplan's anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C, local warm spot up to about 30 °C — keep noticeably cooler than the lowland anoles

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 — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with leaf litter, 8–10 cm deep and lightly moist; above it plenty of thin twigs, vines and fine branches at several levels, plus small-leaved plants

Feeding

Food

Tiniest prey: Drosophila, springtails, micro-crickets, small firebrats and aphids; small beetles predominate in the wild. Dust with calcium and vitamins at every other feeding

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–9 cm total length (snout–vent length 3.5–4.1 cm, tail about the same length)

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Hispaniola, exclusively the Sierra de Baoruco in Barahona Province, Dominican Republic, at around 900-1000 m altitude; humid broadleaf forest, in places interspersed with coffee and cacao plantations

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 tiny twig anole from montane forest.

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 Sheplan's anole (Anolis sheplani) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×50×80 cm for a pair — what matters is structure: branches, vertical surfaces and dense foliage. Whether a species needs more height or more floor area depends on which forest layer it lives in — anoles range from the canopy down to the leaf litter on the ground), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with leaf litter, 8–10 cm deep and lightly moist; above it plenty of thin twigs, vines and fine branches at several levels, plus small-leaved plants), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.