Cuban Knight (Giant) Anole
(Anolis equestris equestris)
Distribution and General Description
The Cuban Knight Anole is native to Cuba and the Caribbean, where they are legally protected. However, in 1952 they were accidentally introduced to Florida, where they have become naturalized and this is where the majority of captive knight Anoles was originally imported.
The Cuban Anole has the ability to vary its skin tones according to its mood. The normal colour is a light green, with yellow patches. Territorial males adopt a reddish green colour to their skin. At nighttime this species turns pale green. However, if the reptile is unwell or not heated correctly, then they can turn dark green or dark brown.
There are eleven recognised subspecies of Cuban Knight Anole, but
Anolis equestris equestris is the only one commonly available in captivity. The other subspecies just for information are;
Anolis equestris brujensis, Anolis equestris buidei, Anolis equestris cincoleguas, Anolis equestris cyaneus, Anolis equestris juraguensis, Anolis equestris persparsus, Anolis equestris potior, Anolis equestris sabinalensis, Anolis equestris thomasi and
Anolis equestris verreonensis.
Prior to getting this species research as much as possible and if possible spend time with a current keeper to see if this is the species for you, it is also worth joining your local reptile society/group as they will be able to give you hints and tips (and you may be able to do the same for them).
Size
The Cuban Anole can reach sizes of up to 55cm (22 inches). If properly cared for they can reach sizes of up to 40cm (16 inches) within their first two years.
Diet
In their natural environment Cuban anoles are mainly insectivorous, eating things such as insects, worms and smaller lizards (even members of their own species). Captive juvenile Cuban anoles will eat a staple diet of crickets (dusted with calcium powder and gut loaded), spiders, occasionally they will take earthworms. Waxworms should not be offered too often due to their fatty contents. Mealworms should never be fed due to their hard to digest exoskeleton. Feeding them mealworms can even cause intestinal problems. Captive adult anoles should be fed large insects such as hoppers, large brown and black crickets (dusted with calcium powder and gut loaded). They can also be fed pink and small fuzzy mice. Occasional treats of wax worm moths are also taken readily.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This should be a guarded and thermostatically controlled reflector spot bulb (either red, green or blue) or a ceramic heater. Heat mats may also be used as an extra source of heat but they are not essential.
- Ultra Violet Light Source: - This is essential for this species and the best brand to use at present is the Reptisun 10.0 or 5.0. It should be positioned no more than 30cm (further with 10.0) away from the basking animal and left on for 10-12 hours daily. This should be replaced every 6-7 months depending on the producer’s advice. Care should be taken if your reptile has unpigmented eyes (amelanistic or albinos or any other red eyed morph) as it can damage their eyes. UV lights should never be placed behind glass or plastic as this filters out the essential UV rays. Vitamin D3 supplements should not be used whilst UV lighting is used.
- Housing: - An adult Cuban anole should be housed alone or in a male-female pair. A dark wooden vivarium or vision cage is suitable for these reptiles. The enclosure must have plenty of height, for example 90cm wide x 150cm high by 90cm long (3 foot wide x 5 foot high x 3 foot long) is adequate for a male-female pair. Lots of branches to climb are essential for this species. Males should never be kept together as they will kill each other.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures of the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent thermal burns.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at each end of the vivarium in order to give an accurate reading of the temperatures within the enclosure. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as these are often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, cave etc. all make excellent hides.
Water
A shallow water bowl should be provided. The enclosure should be misted with tepid water on an evening in order for the anoles to drink the droplets off the branches and plants. A drip water system could also be set up to replicate this as a constant water source. The humidity should be maintained between 65 - 70%.
Temperature
This species of anole requires a daytime temperature of 26°C (80°F) with a basking area of up to 35°C (95°F).
Longevity
For Anoles this species is relatively long lived with specimens being recorded living into their mid to late teens. However the average tends to be 7-12 years.
Substrate
Newspaper can be used with this species, however due to the damp atmosphere it will need changing regularly. Large pieces of reptile bark (not pine or cedar) can be used to good effect as this assists in maintaining the humidity. Sphagnum moss can also be used.
N.B.
Cuban Knight Anoles should not be kept together or with any other species of reptile, due to their aggressive nature towards their own species and similar sized reptiles.
Photograph is taken from http://www.ribbitphotography.com/lizards/anoles.html
Map is taken from http://www.homestead.com/Anolis/equestris.html (map is only of Caribbean distribution and not Florida population) originally drawn by Lluis Gorgoy.
Further reading/Websites/useful contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Anolis_SP_equestris']
http://www.homestead.com/Anolis/equestris.html - Caribbean Anole Database.
http://www.pondturtle.com/llizc.html - longevity information.
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
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