Armoured pricklenape (Acanthosaura armata)

Short answers

Armoured pricklenape: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×60×120 cm for one adult animal, larger animals or an aqua-terrarium are better; height matters.

Armoured pricklenape: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot local warm spot up to 30–32 °C (do not overheat the enclosure), at night 20–22 °C.

Armoured pricklenape: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; for D3 synthesis).

Armoured pricklenape: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years.

Armoured pricklenape: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

local warm spot up to 30–32 °C (do not overheat the enclosure)

Humidity

70–90 % by day, up to ~100 % at night (good ventilation against mould)

UVB

UVB needed (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; for D3 synthesis)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×60×120 cm for one adult animal, larger animals or an aqua-terrarium are better; height matters

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, a drainage layer; a large water section

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, roaches, earthworms, larvae; large animals rarely take a nestling mouse or smelt; calcium and D3

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

one of the largest species: approx. 28–30 cm total length (with the tail), males larger

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years

Origin

Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, southern Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo; lowland and montane rainforest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES (as far as research shows); mostly wild-caught – look for captive breeding and proof of origin

Brumation

No pronounced winter rest (a tropical lowland distribution); only a mild seasonal drop

Cohabitation

Single housing. The lower-stress option is one animal per enclosure, as there is no evidence that pricklenapes need company. Pairs or small groups work according to care sheets as long as several males are never kept together; the drawback is that the enclosure must then be proportionally larger and stress between the animals is hard to spot.

Notes

The "Malayan / black-naped forest dragon". A large species → a large, tall humid terrarium with a water section. High humidity with good ventilation (a risk of mould and respiratory problems). The main mistakes: too small, too warm or too dry.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bintang mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura bintangensis) – Intermediate
• Short-legged horned lizard (Acanthosaura brachypoda) – Intermediate
• Brown pricklenape (Acanthosaura lepidogaster) – Intermediate
• Cardamom mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura cardamomensis) – Intermediate
• Crowned pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata) – Intermediate
• Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra) – Intermediate
• Masked spiny lizard (Acanthosaura crucigera) – Intermediate
• Natalia's pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Armoured pricklenape (Acanthosaura armata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×60×120 cm for one adult animal, larger animals or an aqua-terrarium are better; height matters), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, a drainage layer; a large water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.