Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis)

Short answers

Asian glass lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×40 cm for one animal (1997 expert report: Anguidae, Ophisaurus — 6 × 3 × 2 times snout–vent length).

Asian glass lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot ~30 °C (small), at night 18–20 °C.

Asian glass lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Optional – low (ground-living).

Asian glass lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Asian glass lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

~30 °C (small)

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

Optional – low (ground-living)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×40 cm for one animal (1997 expert report: Anguidae, Ophisaurus — 6 × 3 × 2 times snout–vent length)

Substrate

Deep substrate they can dig in, with leaf litter and ground-level hides

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, roaches, worms), snails

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

40–60 cm

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

The subtropical mountain regions of southern China, northern India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam

Protection status

—

Brumation

A cooler winter rest is recommended (subtropical)

Cohabitation

Keeping singly is best. The species is largely peaceful towards its own kind; a pair or a small group is possible with plenty of floor space and several separate hides. Company is not essential — in the wild the animals live hidden and on their own. Feed separately if there are size differences so that no animal goes without.

Notes

A burrowing, shy legless lizard; barely handleable. Robust and long-lived with good care. It can shed its tail.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Hart's glass lizard (Dopasia harti) – Intermediate
• Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Intermediate
• Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) – Intermediate
• Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis) – Intermediate
• California legless lizard (Anniella pulchra) – Intermediate
• Moroccan glass lizard (Ophisaurus koellikeri) – Intermediate
• Imbricate alligator lizard (Barisia imbricata) – Intermediate
• Eastern slow worm (Anguis colchica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×40 cm for one animal (1997 expert report: Anguidae, Ophisaurus — 6 × 3 × 2 times snout–vent length)), substrate (Deep substrate they can dig in, with leaf litter and ground-level 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.