Artvin lizard (Darevskia derjugini)

Short answers

Artvin lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×60 cm for a small group, set up as a woodland enclosure: a layer of leaf litter, deadwood, ferns and moss on the floor, plus a small lit basking spot. The minimum size per the official expert report for Caucasian lizards would be 6 × 4 × 4 times snout–vent length, i.e. around 40×26×26 cm for a pair.

Artvin lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–25 °C ambient temperature, basking spot Basking spot 38–45 °C, at night 12–18 °C.

Artvin lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Needed, but moderate (UVB 5.0 over the basking spot, with shade alongside).

Artvin lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Artvin lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–25 °C ambient temperature

Night temperature

12–18 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 38–45 °C

Humidity

65–80 %, substrate layer permanently lightly moist, mist in the morning

UVB

Needed, but moderate (UVB 5.0 over the basking spot, with shade alongside)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×60 cm for a small group, set up as a woodland enclosure: a layer of leaf litter, deadwood, ferns and moss on the floor, plus a small lit basking spot. The minimum size per the official expert report for Caucasian lizards would be 6 × 4 × 4 times snout–vent length, i.e. around 40×26×26 cm for a pair.

Substrate

Loose forest-floor substrate of coco fibre and leaf mould with a layer of leaf litter, moss cushions, deadwood and pieces of bark, plus ferns and low plants; one corner kept permanently damp. A few flat stones and a piece of root as a basking spot are enough — this species doesn't need a dry-stone wall.

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches, wax moths and the occasional fruit, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–19 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

The Black Sea slope of the Caucasus: Georgia, northeast Turkey (Artvin, Rize, Trabzon, Giresun), southwest Russia and northwest Azerbaijan; montane forests between 600 and 1700 m

Protection status

Bern Convention Appendix II — proof of origin required

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 5–10 °C — without it there is no breeding and a markedly shorter life

Cohabitation

1.2 or 1.3; never keep males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

A forest and meadow species from a humid climate — not a dry terrarium.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Armenian rock lizard (Darevskia armeniaca) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Dahl's rock lizard (Darevskia dahli) – Beginner with some knowledge
• White-bellied rock lizard (Darevskia unisexualis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Caucasian rock lizard (Darevskia saxicola) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Caucasian rock lizard (Darevskia caucasica) – Intermediate
• Caucasian rock lizard (Darevskia rudis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Portschinsky's rock lizard (Darevskia portschinskii) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Radde's rock lizard (Darevskia raddei) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Artvin lizard (Darevskia derjugini) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×60 cm for a small group, set up as a woodland enclosure: a layer of leaf litter, deadwood, ferns and moss on the floor, plus a small lit basking spot. The minimum size per the official expert report for Caucasian lizards would be 6 × 4 × 4 times snout–vent length, i.e. around 40×26×26 cm for a pair.), substrate (Loose forest-floor substrate of coco fibre and leaf mould with a layer of leaf litter, moss cushions, deadwood and pieces of bark, plus ferns and low plants; one corner kept permanently damp. A few flat stones and a piece of root as a basking spot are enough — this species doesn't need a dry-stone wall.), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.