Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata)

Short answers

Balkan green lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150x65x80 cm for a pair; a group from 180x80x100 cm.

Balkan green lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–28 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C basking spot, locally, at night 15–20 °C.

Balkan green lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (heliophilous, a strong UVB or outdoor lamp).

Balkan green lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~10–15 years.

Balkan green lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–28 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C basking spot, locally

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

Essential (heliophilous, a strong UVB or outdoor lamp)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150x65x80 cm for a pair; a group from 180x80x100 cm

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, stones, grasses, hides

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, locusts, crickets), occasionally berries or fruit

Feeding interval

Adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

40–50 cm total length (SVL ~16 cm)

Life expectancy

~10–15 years

Origin

South-eastern Europe / the Balkans (Slovenia to Greece)

Protection status

Strictly protected (Bern Convention App. II, Habitats Directive Ann. IV); registration and proof required

Brumation

A winter rest of 2–3 months at 8–10 °C (compulsory)

Cohabitation

A pair, or one male plus three or four females; the males do not get on with each other. 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 large, active sun-loving lizard with a high warmth and UV requirement; best in a large outdoor or room terrarium, and a winter rest is essential.

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Related species

• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) – Intermediate
• Caspian green lizard (Lacerta strigata) – Intermediate
• Caucasian green lizard (Lacerta media) – Intermediate
• Eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis) – Intermediate
• European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) – Intermediate
• Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150x65x80 cm for a pair; a group from 180x80x100 cm), substrate (A sand-loam mix, stones, grasses, 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.