Dominican Anole (Anolis oculatus)

Dominican Anole Anolis oculatus
Name	Dominican Anole
Name Lat.	Anolis oculatus
Family	Anoles
Family lat.	Dactyloidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Caribbean
Habitat	Shrubs, deciduous forests
Diet	Insects, fruits
Humidity	60-70 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	5-7 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	24 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35 °C
Housing Size	60 x 60 x 80 cm
US Units
Size	9.4"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95 °F
Housing Size	25" x 25" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal Dominican Anolis are found exclusively (endemically) on the Caribbean island of Dominica, where they are widespread. They live on trees, shrubs and banana trees up to altitudes of 900 meters.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

6KRL x 6KRL x 8KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of e.g. L 60 x W 60 x H 80 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

They need a well ventilated terrarium with branched climbing branches and hiding places, structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering) as well as many plants (climbing plants and epiphytes), a soft substrate of forest soil-peat mixture (15 cm deep) and a small, shallow water container as well as a drip trough. Part of the substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better. At night increase the humidity up to 90%

Temp. day: 25-30 °C

Temp. night: 18-22 °C

Temp. local: up to 35 °C

Humidity: 60-70

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. The lighting duration should be 10-14 hrs. depending on the season. They need a high light intensity. Special lamps that produce the necessary heat and UV light are ideal. Daily UV irradiation is essential.

Diet

The diet consists of live insects, such as crickets, crickets, grasshoppers, mealybug larvae and cockroaches, alternatively commercial ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles, supplemented with sweet fruit (bananas, strawberries or fruit pulp) and flowers or flower pollen. Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts due to their high fat content. Young animals should be fed daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important. Drinking water must always be available, but is preferably taken in droplet form from leaves or furnishings.

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

In the slightly larger males, the bulging orange-yellow throat pouch is significantly larger than in females.

The female buries 1-2 eggs several times a year in moist substrate or under leaves and stones. At a temperature of 26-28 °C the incubation period is 50-60 days. As first food for the young animals small insects like fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable. The young animals are sexually mature after 6-8 months

Important

Their toes are provided with adhesive lamellae. Multifaceted nodding movements serve as their mood expression. Males have a larger, protruding throat pouch for threatening, courtship and territory marking

Adult males are very territorial and incompatible with each other

Four ecotypes are described, all endemic to Dominica

The quality of the food animals can be upgraded by giving fruit and honey water.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF