Baja California alligator lizard (Elgaria paucicarinata)

Short answers

Baja California alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm for a pair.

Baja California alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22-27 °C in the gradient, cool side 21-24 °C, basking spot 29–32 °C basking spot, locally, at night 15–19 °C.

Baja California alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Baja California alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years, up to 20 with good care.

Baja California alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22-27 °C in the gradient, cool side 21-24 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

29–32 °C basking spot, locally

Humidity

35-60 %, with a permanently humid corner

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm for a pair

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with leaf litter, bark and stones

Feeding

Food

Crickets, roaches, house crickets and earthworms, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–27 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years, up to 20 with good care

Origin

Baja California, Mexico

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler and drier in winter

Cohabitation

1.1; 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

Keep it drier than the northern species.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Intermediate
• Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea) – Intermediate
• Panamint alligator lizard (Elgaria panamintina) – Intermediate
• Southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) – Beginner
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Artvin lizard (Darevskia derjugini) – Intermediate
• Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Baja California alligator lizard (Elgaria paucicarinata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand-loam mix with leaf litter, bark and stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.