Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just adopted a Cuban Knight Anole from a senior at school that can not take him home with her this summer. He is still fairly young (I'd say between 6 months to a year at most). From nose to tail he's around 6 or so inches. From the stress of moving I have not handled him yet (just received him yesterday afternoon). She said he's never bitten her and is fairly docile (minus jumping in her hair from time to time and always wanting to climb up and never go back in his cage). I have a 150 watt spiral bulb, a heat lamp and a dark purple bulb (that I was told by a herp friend to put it on the cage at night). There is a thermometer to monitor the temperature as well as a humidity gage. I have misted his cage a few times already and he still has a few crickets left in his tank from when she last fed him along with s shallow water dish. He has some vines and a branch and half stump thing to climb on (for now). I'm planing on building up as I know these guys love to climb. Once I get home after finals I will make a cage at least 5 ft high with plenty of branches for him (considering he's only going to get bigger from here). He is only in a 10 gallon right now so I planing the move as soon as possible.

Now that I've said all that I'd like to ask any Knight Anole owners or anyone experienced with them to share any tips that they have found helpful in the past. Any little bits of information would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I was wondering if he might take a small piece of cantaloupe (I have some leftover from breakfast).

Thank you to all of your help in advance!

By the way... any idea of a name for this cool little guy?

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Rachel

1.0.0. Cuban Knight Anole
1.0.0. Ribbon Snake (Dasher)
0.0.1. Red Eared Slider (Timmy)
0.0.1. Yellow-Bellied Slider (Winston Sunshine)
0.0.1. Red-Bellied Slider (Lil' Devil)
0.0.1. African Dwarf Frog
0.1.0. Deer Mouse (Darla)
0.1.0. Black Mouse (Pepper)
1.0.0. Tabbie Cat (Cuddles)

Before reprimanding me on the humidity ... it has been up between 70 and 95 since I started misting more and putting wet paper towels over his cage (until I get him home and use glass to keep it in (minus where the uv light will be of course because I know that is essential). I dust the large crickets with calcium powder every other time I feed him (to insure that I don't over supplement him). I know you're really not supposed to handle these guys that much but he hasn't shown any signs of stress or aggression when holding him. I'm assuming that his last owners handled him so much that he doesn't mind it any more. As I said before, any ideas, tips, or suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks =)

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Rachel

1.0.0. Cuban Knight Anole
1.0.0. Ribbon Snake (Dasher)
0.0.1. Red Eared Slider (Timmy)
0.0.1. Yellow-Bellied Slider (Winston Sunshine)
0.0.1. Red-Bellied Slider (Lil' Devil)
0.0.1. African Dwarf Frog
0.1.0. Deer Mouse (Darla)
0.1.0. Black Mouse (Pepper)
1.0.0. Tabbie Cat (Cuddles)

Sounds like you're well on your way. It's been my experience that some Knights can be notoriously finicky eaters. Try a wide variety of insects and various fruits, including baby food in a dish. I've had several specimens in the past, some ate store bought crickets readily, some did not. I've had luck with bits of apple, red grapes and banana. For baby food I use peach, apricot and banana. As far as handling, if he/she will let you and not try to defensively bite or begin to darken because of the stress, I think it is fine if only done periodically. Hope this little bit helps, I'm about to post some pics of the Knights I just received on May 2.

Chuck H.

Thanks! I can't wait to see the new additions!
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Rachel

1.0.0. Cuban Knight Anole
1.0.0. Ribbon Snake (Dasher)
0.0.1. Red Eared Slider (Timmy)
0.0.1. Yellow-Bellied Slider (Winston Sunshine)
0.0.1. Red-Bellied Slider (Lil' Devil)
0.0.1. African Dwarf Frog
0.1.0. Deer Mouse (Darla)
0.1.0. Black Mouse (Pepper)
1.0.0. Tabbie Cat (Cuddles)