Atlas ocellated lizard (Timon tangitanus)

Short answers

Atlas ocellated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm for one animal; larger for a pair or group (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts).

Atlas ocellated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Atlas ocellated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot).

Atlas ocellated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Atlas ocellated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm for one animal; larger for a pair or group (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts)

Substrate

A deep, diggable sand-loam mix with caves, rock structures and bushy dry vegetation

Feeding

Food

Large insects (house crickets, locusts, roaches), worms; occasionally nestling mice, a little fruit

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week in larger portions, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 40–55 cm total length (smaller than T. lepidus; SVL up to ~18 cm)

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

North-western Africa: Morocco, northern Algeria, Tunisia, the Western Sahara

Protection status

No CITES; a non-European species. Legal proof of origin or captive breeding is recommended; check regional rules.

Brumation

A mild, short rest period (about 6–8 weeks at 10–14 °C); a North African origin, with milder winters than T. lepidus

Cohabitation

A pair is the least stressful option; a harem (one male with several females) also works in a large, structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together, and never with smaller reptiles, which end up as prey. Fierce dominance fights between males are documented in the closely related T. lepidus.

Notes

The North African counterpart of the ocellated lizard, a little smaller and more warmth-loving; care similar to T. lepidus. A powerful predator – it eats small animals. Species-specific detailed literature is thin (medium confidence).

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Nevada ocellated lizard (Timon nevadensis) – Intermediate
• Moroccan ocellated lizard (Timon pater) – Intermediate
• Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) – Intermediate
• Zagros ocellated lizard (Timon princeps) – Intermediate
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Atlas ocellated lizard (Timon tangitanus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm for one animal; larger for a pair or group (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts)), substrate (A deep, diggable sand-loam mix with caves, rock structures and bushy dry vegetation), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.