Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger)
Lizards · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) (origin: South Africa – coastal rock near Cape Town). Adult size around 15–19 cm total length. Life expectancy 15–25 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Black girdled lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Black girdled lizard: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot 42 °C, at night 13–18 °C.
Black girdled lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).
Black girdled lizard: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–25 years.
Black girdled lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–31 °C
- Night temperature
- 13–18 °C
- Basking spot
- 42 °C
- Humidity
- 45–60 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam, rock structures with narrow crevices
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, crickets, roaches
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 15–19 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 15–25 years
- Origin
- South Africa – coastal rock near Cape Town
- Protection status
- CITES II; a very small range
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 8–12 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Keep singly. Unlike many relatives, the black girdled lizard does not form colonies: it lives solitarily and seeks out other animals only during the mating season. For breeding, put them together under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
A jet-black coastal form with a tiny range. To be kept a little more humid than the inland species. Buy only with solid proof of captive breeding.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Jones' girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii) – Beginner
- Cape girdled lizard (Cordylus cordylus) – Intermediate
- Large-scaled girdled lizard (Cordylus macropholis) – Intermediate
- Dwarf girdled lizard (Cordylus minor) – Intermediate
- Oelofsen's girdled lizard (Cordylus oelofseni) – Intermediate
- Transvaal girdled lizard (Cordylus vittifer) – Intermediate
- Arid girdled lizard (Cordylus aridus) – Intermediate
- Tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, rock structures with narrow crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cordylus_niger, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Cordylus&species=niger, https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/black-girdled-lizard/
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).