Snake anole (Anolis ophiolepis)

Short answers

Snake anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×50×50 cm for a pair, in a wide format — densely planted with grasses, small-leaved plants and thin twigs up to about 50 cm height, leaf litter on the floor.

Snake anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot Local warm spot up to 35 °C, at night 19–22 °C.

Snake anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Snake anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 4–8 years.

Snake 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

Local warm spot up to 35 °C

Humidity

65–85 %, mist in the morning

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×50×50 cm for a pair, in a wide format — densely planted with grasses, small-leaved plants and thin twigs up to about 50 cm height, leaf litter on the floor

Substrate

Soil-sand mix with a leaf-litter topping, 8–10 cm deep and lightly moist; densely planted near the ground with grasses, small-leaved plants and thin twigs

Feeding

Food

The smallest feeder insects: Drosophila, micro-crickets, small firebrats, aphids and springtails, dusted with calcium and vitamins at every other feeding

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–11 cm

Life expectancy

4–8 years

Origin

Cuba and Isla de la Juventud; pastures, savannas and open grassland

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 very small grass species from open savannah.

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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 Snake anole (Anolis ophiolepis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×50×50 cm for a pair, in a wide format — densely planted with grasses, small-leaved plants and thin twigs up to about 50 cm height, leaf litter on the floor), substrate (Soil-sand mix with a leaf-litter topping, 8–10 cm deep and lightly moist; densely planted near the ground with grasses, small-leaved plants and thin twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.