Small-scaled anole (Anolis isolepis)

Short answers

Small-scaled 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.

Small-scaled anole: What temperature does it need?

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

Small-scaled anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Small-scaled anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Small-scaled anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

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 — 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 live plants, plus thin branches and bamboo at all heights

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, flies, firebrats and wax moths, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba, montane forest

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 montane forest species; keep it permanently humid and cool.

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 Small-scaled anole (Anolis isolepis) 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 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.