Cuban Knight Anole - Homemade Enclosure Set Up (first time owner)

[warzonewraith]

About a month or so ago I got a 3-4 month old Cuban Knight Anole from a reptile pet store. Last time I owned anything close to an anole was when I used to catch green anoles as a kid in like 2005 lol. My last actual reptile that I owned a Bearded Dragon, but I haven't had a reptile pet since 2017. So this is my first time back in the swing of things for a little while. He eats well, poops, sleeps, and is pretty active, he's healthy. Only thing is, he's very shy even though he has warmed up to me a tiny bit, enough for me to be able to feed him with tongs without running away as long as I don't get too close.

As for the enclosure, I had some left over guinea pig enclosure metal fencing, and got an idea and starting putting it together with zip ties and screen, next thing I know I've got a 3 enclosure in 1 thing going on here. I keep the individual enclosures closed using binder clips. Lot of hard work went into it, but it was pretty cheap overall, could've been way worse in terms of pricing. I just want some suggestions to make it better. I keep it misted atleast twice a day, since I don't have a misting system at the moment.

What do you guys think of the set up? I think it's okay, there's a few things I want to add into it namely more sticks, and I want to do something about the bottom where the substrate goes, it just seems...like it could be better. I've got an aluminum pan down there with some eco earth, and the pot for the umbrella plant is down there.

Also, I haven't had crickets in a long time, how in the world do you keep these things alive? No matter how much I feed them, they just die within like 2 weeks lol.

I've got a 10.0 Reptisun Bulb for UVB,
a 50W Halogen Bulb for heat
Some fake plants, some real sticks, and an umbrella plant.
Temperatures get as low as 72 degrees F at the bottom, 90 degrees F in the basking spots.
69-70 degrees F at night.

 

[Klyde O'Scope]

About a month or so ago I got a 3-4 month old Cuban Knight Anole from a reptile pet store. Last time I owned anything close to an anole was when I used to catch green anoles as a kid in like 2005 lol. My last actual reptile that I owned a Bearded Dragon, but I haven't had a reptile pet since 2017.

Some of my first (aside from the usual baby turtles, goldfish, guppies, frogs, toads, & sliders) were green anoles from a dimestore. But that was the '60s...

I've had a beardie since last year in anticipation of caring for a true chameleon (which I've wanted since the '60s)

Cuban Knight Anole is on my "also rans" list. Most of what I know comes from YT videos & a few caresheets.
Cuban Knight Anole
Knight Anole
Cuban Knight Anole Caresheet
Cuban Knight Anole Care Sheet
There are others—just google.

So this is my first time back in the swing of things for a little while. He eats well, poops, sleeps, and is pretty active, he's healthy. Only thing is, he's very shy even though he has warmed up to me a tiny bit, enough for me to be able to feed him with tongs without running away as long as I don't get too close.

If hand-feeding is your aim, I'd suggest putting a worm on your flat palm (don't move).
Allow him time, and try not to startle him.

Even after a month, he may still view you as the giant who wants to EAT him. You may have gone through similar with your beardie. You can get him used to your scent (a piece of worn clothing in the enclosure) and build trust the same ways. Just remember he's NOT a beardie, and he's still an individual; his behaviors and responses will likely be different, and his.

Also, I haven't had crickets in a long time, how in the world do you keep these things alive? No matter how much I feed them, they just die within like 2 weeks lol.

You don't. They die quickly, they're noisy, and they stink. The care sheets (I haven't reviewed them recently) may have other suggestions for staple feeders, e.g. dubia roaches, various larval worms, etc.

I'd check google for dedicated forums, and the archives here for other Cuban Knight Anole threads.

Good Luck!

Ping nightanole

 

[mujino]

I haven't had crickets in a long time, how in the world do you keep these things alive?

A steady stream of new ones

Congrats on your new guy!