Bedriaga's rock lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae)

Short answers

Bedriaga's rock lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×50×80 cm, rocky and vertical with plenty of crevices and climbing walls (height matters).

Bedriaga's rock lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C, at night 12–18 °C.

Bedriaga's rock lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4).

Bedriaga's rock lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years in captivity (a mountain species, long-lived).

Bedriaga's rock lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

12–18 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (higher at rock crevices and near streams)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×50×80 cm, rocky and vertical with plenty of crevices and climbing walls (height matters)

Substrate

A stony floor, rock and slate structures, little sand-loam, damp in places

Feeding

Food

Insects and small invertebrates; it often catches prey in mid-air

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

20-28 cm total length (snout-vent length approx. 6-8 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years in captivity (a mountain species, long-lived)

Origin

Endemic to Corsica and Sardinia, usually in mountains at 600–1,800 m, also on coastal rocks by streams

Protection status

Strictly protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV, Bern Convention); only documented captive-bred animals. Note: some lay sources mention "CITES" – this is not documented and is uncertain

Brumation

A winter rest is needed: about 3 months at 8–10 °C (a mountain species; cooler nights matter generally)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly, or at most one male plus one female in a large rock enclosure with plenty of crevices; the males are territorial and NEVER kept together

Notes

A demanding montane rock species needing cooler temperatures and a strong night drop – do not keep it at Mediterranean heat. The care figures are derived from its natural habitat and related rock lizards (little direct husbandry literature), hence medium confidence.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• 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
• Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) – Intermediate
• Sawtail lizard (Holaspis guentheri) – Intermediate
• Bosk's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus) – Intermediate
• Spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bedriaga's rock lizard (Archaeolacerta bedriagae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×50×80 cm, rocky and vertical with plenty of crevices and climbing walls (height matters)), substrate (A stony floor, rock and slate structures, little sand-loam, damp in places), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.