Western bearded anole (Chamaeleolis porcus)

Short answers

Western bearded anole: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×90 cm for one adult animal (tall, front-ventilated, thin climbing branches).

Western bearded anole: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C (cooler zone 21–23 °C), basking spot 29–32 °C (moderate, does not bask much), at night 18–21 °C.

Western bearded anole: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; a shade and forest dweller).

Western bearded anole: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–10 years in captivity.

Western bearded anole: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C (cooler zone 21–23 °C)

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

29–32 °C (moderate, does not bask much)

Humidity

60–80 % (down to ~40 % by day, up to ~100 % at night)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; a shade and forest dweller)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×90 cm for one adult animal (tall, front-ventilated, thin climbing branches)

Substrate

Coco humus or soil with moss and leaf litter (moisture-retaining), thin branches

Feeding

Food

A specialist: land snails (captive-bred) as the staple, plus crickets, roaches, silkworms and locusts; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults every 2–3 days, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

large and robust: approx. 20–30 cm total length with a strikingly large, angular head

Life expectancy

approx. 6–10 years in captivity

Origin

Endemic to Cuba; forests, gardens and edge habitats. A slow, chameleon-like "false chameleon" anole

Protection status

No CITES or EU regulation protection; not specially protected. Prefer captive-bred animals (a Cuban endemic).

Brumation

A slight, cooler seasonal spell is possible (Cuba); no strict winter rest is required

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is the least stressful, especially for males. Alternatively, one male with 1-2 females is possible in a sufficiently large enclosure, with females benefiting from occasional individual housing. Two males must never be together.

Notes

Calm, slow, and not very aggressive towards people, but territorial towards its own kind. A snail eater – the main mistakes: the wrong diet, dehydration, and injury from hungry crickets. Well to moderately documented.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Aguero's false chameleon (Chamaeleolis agueroi) – Intermediate
• Bearded false chameleon (Chamaeleolis barbatus) – Intermediate
• Cuban false chameleon (Chamaeleolis chamaeleonides) – Expert
• Guamuhaya false chameleon (Chamaeleolis guamuhaya) – Expert
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Western bearded anole (Chamaeleolis porcus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×90 cm for one adult animal (tall, front-ventilated, thin climbing branches)), substrate (Coco humus or soil with moss and leaf litter (moisture-retaining), thin branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.