Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi)

Short answers

Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 80×60×100 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh – the largest Guatemalan species.

Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Basking spot, locally 30–32 °C; the enclosure as a whole must not exceed 30 °C, at night 12–18 °C; a marked night-time drop is essential.

Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential, and strong: a 10–12% UVB tube (T5 HO) above the basking branch, about 30 cm away, 12 hours a day.

Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–20 years.

Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

12–18 °C; a marked night-time drop is essential

Basking spot

Basking spot, locally 30–32 °C; the enclosure as a whole must not exceed 30 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Essential, and strong: a 10–12% UVB tube (T5 HO) above the basking branch, about 30 cm away, 12 hours a day

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 80×60×100 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh – the largest Guatemalan species

Substrate

Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), plenty of climbing branches and bark as hides

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; well gut-loaded and dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~40 cm total length (with the tail) – the largest Abronia in Guatemala

Life expectancy

approx. 10–20 years

Origin

Guatemala, endemic to the Volcán de Agua (southern slope in Escuintla, western slope near Alotenango, Sacatepéquez), cypress-oak and cloud forest at ~1,220–2,290 m; total range only 17–28 km²

Protection status

CITES Appendix I / EU Annex A (strictly protected); commercial use only with a CITES certificate plus photo documentation and proof of origin, and registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals – only captive-bred animals are legal

Brumation

Yes: a cool spell of ~2–3 months in winter; ~12–16 °C by day, ~8–12 °C at night (a montane dry-season climate)

Cohabitation

Solitary or as a 1.1 pair; in breeding projects also one male with one to two females. Never put males together: dominant males defend their territory, which is expressly documented for this species. Females are usually compatible. Some care guides recommend single housing on principle and only put animals together for pairing. Provide plenty of structure and visual barriers and monitor the animals for stress.

Notes

Extremely rare, CR (IUCN), not recorded for 48 years; only in a conservation breeding project, and practically absent from the hobby. The husbandry figures are derived from the genus and from A. graminea – species-specific care sheets are lacking. Live-bearing (viviparous), 1 litter a year.

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Related species

• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert
• Frost's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia frosti) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 80×60×100 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh – the largest Guatemalan species), substrate (Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), plenty of climbing branches and bark as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.