We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Knight Anole?

By Stephany Seipel
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 7,038
Share

The knight anole Anolis equestris, also called the Cuban knight anole, is a type of anole lizard native to Cuba but naturalized in Jamaica, the Caribbean islands and Florida. These lizards are often sold in pet stores. Although they are slow-moving, they will aggressively defend their territory against perceived intruders.

Out of all the different species of anoles, the knight anole is the largest. It averages 13-20 inches long (33-51 cm) when fully grown. It usually is vivid green in color, with yellow markings below the eyes and along the shoulders. Knight anoles change colors from green to light brown or nearly black in cold weather or when disturbed.

Both male and female knight anoles have large heads; small, sharp teeth; and long tails. The males can be identified by their large pink dewlaps. Male knight anoles usually are larger than females, and some dominant males have black spots on their heads. Both males and females are generally calm and slow-moving.

The males use their dewlaps to attract mates. The male nods his head up and down to display his throat fan to a prospective partner, and he initiates mating by seizing her by the neck and forcing his tail below hers. These lizards usually breed between March and October.

The female knight anole produces small, leathery eggs approximately every two weeks during the breeding season. The baby lizards emerge five to seven weeks later. Young knight anoles usually are brilliant green with white markings.

Adults and juvenile knight anoles are diurnal, meaning that they stay awake during the daytime and sleep at night. They feed on tree frogs, smaller anole species, baby birds and a variety of insects. Pet knight anoles enjoy a diet of mice, lizards and crickets.

In the wild, these lizards usually make their homes in trees. They thrive in high humidity and consistently warm weather. Wild knight anoles can live as long as 16 years. Male knight anoles will aggressively defend their territory, and they often fight with other males of the species.

Cuban knight anoles should be housed separately from one another in captivity. They need an earthy substrate such as sand or potting soil, as well as branches for climbing and hiding. These lizards can drink from a water bowl. They require full-spectrum lighting.

As pets, they do not especially enjoy being held. They defend themselves by biting, but they rarely cause serious damage because their teeth are relatively small. A knight anole might also defecate in a human's hand if it is startled or disturbed.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-knight-anole.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.