Bibron's tree iguana (Liolaemus bibronii)

Short answers

Bibron's tree iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 100×60×60 cm for a pair — a ground dweller, so floor space counts; still provide rock structures and a climbing wall.

Bibron's tree iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot Local basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Bibron's tree iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Bibron's tree iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Bibron's tree iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Local basking spot 40–45 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×60×60 cm for a pair — a ground dweller, so floor space counts; still provide rock structures and a climbing wall

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with climbing branches; for the dry-country species sand-loam with stones

Feeding

Food

House crickets, field crickets, small roaches, flies and other small insects; plant matter plays no role in this species

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

13–18 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

Argentina and Chile: Monte scrubland, Patagonian steppe and Andean high valleys up to 3000 m, from San Juan province (32° S) to the coast of Santa Cruz

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

Yes, genuine winter dormancy. In their native range these animals are inactive for around six months over autumn and winter. In the terrarium the rest period is run over several weeks to months with a shorter day, heating switched off and a noticeably cooler baseline temperature, and ended just as gradually.

Cohabitation

1.1 or 1.2; 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

A small steppe species, very tolerant of cold.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Painted tree iguana (Liolaemus pictus) – Intermediate
• Thin tree iguana (Liolaemus tenuis) – Intermediate
• Chilean tree iguana (Liolaemus chiliensis) – Intermediate
• Shiny tree iguana (Liolaemus nitidus) – Intermediate
• Sand tree iguana (Liolaemus wiegmannii) – Intermediate
• Barahona curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus barahonensis) – Intermediate
• Blue tree iguana (Uracentron azureum) – Expert
• Thick-tailed whorltail iguana (Stenocercus crassicaudatus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bibron's tree iguana (Liolaemus bibronii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×60×60 cm for a pair — a ground dweller, so floor space counts; still provide rock structures and a climbing wall), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with climbing branches; for the dry-country species sand-loam with 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.