Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis)

Short answers

Blue-headed tree agama: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 130×90×160 cm for a single animal or a pair; for a group of 1.2 correspondingly more floor space. Height matters more than floor space, and every animal needs its own basking spot.

Blue-headed tree agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–33 °C, basking spot 42 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

Blue-headed tree agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Blue-headed tree agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–10 years.

Blue-headed tree agama: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–33 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

42 °C

Humidity

60–70 % during the day, up to 80 % at night

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 130×90×160 cm for a single animal or a pair; for a group of 1.2 correspondingly more floor space. Height matters more than floor space, and every animal needs its own basking spot

Substrate

Sand-loam, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes

Feeding

Food

House crickets, field crickets, grasshoppers, roaches, worms and occasionally wax moth larvae; plus plant matter such as herbs, flowers, hibiscus and dried dandelion. No butterhead or iceberg lettuce (unfavourable calcium-to-phosphorus ratio)

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–38 cm total length

Life expectancy

approx. 6–10 years

Origin

Eastern and southern Africa – savannah trees

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

In pairs (1.1) or as a harem of 1.2 – males strictly separate. The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently sits in a corner. Females usually get along, but each needs her own basking and hiding spot; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

An arboreal agama – it needs height and stout horizontal branches under the spot. The male has a brilliant blue head. Markedly shyer than bearded dragons.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Blue-throated agama (Acanthocercus cyanogaster) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) – Intermediate
• Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) – Intermediate
• Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio) – Intermediate
• Caucasian agama (Paralaudakia caucasia) – Intermediate
• Namibian rock agama (Agama planiceps) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 130×90×160 cm for a single animal or a pair; for a group of 1.2 correspondingly more floor space. Height matters more than floor space, and every animal needs its own basking spot), substrate (Sand-loam, sturdy climbing branches, cork tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.