Bell's angle-headed dragon (Gonocephalus bellii)

Short answers

Bell's angle-headed dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100 × 60 × 150 cm (tall, planted, a pair).

Bell's angle-headed dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot ~35 °C (only a spot-sized lamp), at night 16–20 °C.

Bell's angle-headed dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (weak forest-grade UVB, ~5 %).

Bell's angle-headed dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~8–10 years.

Bell's angle-headed dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

~35 °C (only a spot-sized lamp)

Humidity

75–90 % during the day, up to 95 % at night; let it dry out in between

UVB

Recommended (weak forest-grade UVB, ~5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100 × 60 × 150 cm (tall, planted, a pair)

Substrate

Damp forest floor, moss, leaf litter, plenty of vertical branches

Feeding

Food

Insects (locusts, roaches, crickets), occasionally worms

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 35–45 cm total length, males larger (snout–vent length 12–15 cm)

Life expectancy

~8–10 years

Origin

Southern Thailand, Malaysia, Penang, Borneo (humid forests)

Protection status

— (no CITES; usually wild-caught)

Brumation

None (only a slight night-time drop)

Cohabitation

In pairs; males are territorial. 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 delicate, stress-prone tree agama needing high humidity and a distinct night drop. It drinks from a drip or running water; mostly wild-caught – quarantine and parasite checks matter.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Borneo angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus bornensis) – Expert
• Chameleon angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus) – Expert
• Doria's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) – Intermediate
• Great angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) – Expert
• Kuhl's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus kuhlii) – Expert
• Blue-eyed angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus liogaster) – Intermediate
• Large-scaled angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus megalepis) – Expert
• Mjöberg's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus mjobergi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bell's angle-headed dragon (Gonocephalus bellii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100 × 60 × 150 cm (tall, planted, a pair)), substrate (Damp forest floor, moss, leaf litter, plenty of vertical branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.