Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlantica)

Short answers

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

100×50×50 cm for a group.

Atlantic lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Atlantic lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Atlantic lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–12 years.

Atlantic lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–32 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

30–50 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm for a group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with rock structures and a dry-stone wall

Feeding

Food

Predominantly plant-based: tender leaves, herbs, dandelion, endive, ripe fruit and seeds; plus house crickets, field crickets, small roaches or wax moths two to three times a week, dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–22 cm total length, at most 28.5 cm

Life expectancy

5–12 years

Origin

Lanzarote and Fuerteventura

Protection status

Bern Convention Appendix II — proof of origin required

Brumation

A cooler rest of 6–8 weeks at 12–16 °C

Cohabitation

Harem of 1.2 or 1.3; never keep males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently sits in a corner. Females usually get along, but each needs her own basking and hiding spot; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

The smallest species in the genus, from a very dry habitat.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) – Intermediate
• El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) – No husbandry possible.
• Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti) – Intermediate
• La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana) – No husbandry possible.
• Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) – No husbandry possible.
• Amur grass lizard (Takydromus amurensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Armenian rock lizard (Darevskia armeniaca) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlantica) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a group), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures and 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.