Large-headed Anole (Anolis cybotes)
| Large-headed Anole Anolis cybotes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Large-headed Anole |
| Name Lat. | Anolis cybotes |
| Family | Anoles |
| Family lat. | Dactyloidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Caribbean |
| Habitat | Forests, shrubland |
| Diet | Insects, fruits |
| Humidity | 50-70 % |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 5-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 20 cm |
| Temperature | 25-28 °C |
| Temperature Local | 35 °C |
| Housing Size | 60 x 60 x 80 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 8" |
| Temperature | 77-82 °F |
| Temperature Local | 95 °F |
| Housing Size | 25" x 25" x 30" |
Distribution and habitat
The diurnal thick-headed anoles occur exclusively (endemically) on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and were introduced into Florida and Suriname. Avoiding direct sunlight, they live on trees and shrubs in tropical dry forest.
Maintenance
Minimum size 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.
| Temp. day: 25-28 °C | Temp. night: 18-22 °C | Temp. local: up to 35 °C | Humidity: 50-70 |
A 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
The females have a light dorsal stripe. The males are much larger and have a thickened tail root (hemipenis pockets).
The female buries 1 egg several times a year in moist substrate or under leaves and stones. At a temperature of 24-28 °C the incubation period is 30-40 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
The quality of the food can be enhanced by the addition of 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: Christian Sänger; 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