Blue tree iguana (Uracentron azureum)

Short answers

Blue tree iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×60×100 cm for a pair.

Blue tree iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–32 °C, basking spot Basking spot 36–40 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Blue tree iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Blue tree iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Blue tree iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–32 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 36–40 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×60×100 cm for a pair

Substrate

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

Feeding

Food

An ant specialist: in the wild almost exclusively ants, plus beetles, flies, grasshoppers and centipedes. In captivity it needs a permanent supply of ants, supplemented with small crickets, flies, Drosophila and firebrats. Plant matter plays no role.

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–28 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

The Amazon basin

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Group with exactly one male: 1.1 to 1.3, juveniles may stay. Uracentron live socially in tree hollows; for the closely related species U. flaviceps, groups of 2 to 16 animals in one tree are documented, always with only one adult male. Two males do not work: they fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner. Females get along but need their own hollows and basking spots each.

Notes

It lives in tree holes high in the canopy and eats mainly ants. Very demanding.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Barahona curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus barahonensis) – Intermediate
• Bibron's tree iguana (Liolaemus bibronii) – Intermediate
• Painted tree iguana (Liolaemus pictus) – Intermediate
• Thin tree iguana (Liolaemus tenuis) – Intermediate
• Chilean tree iguana (Liolaemus chiliensis) – Intermediate
• Thick-tailed whorltail iguana (Stenocercus crassicaudatus) – Intermediate
• Spiny-tailed dwarf iguana (Hoplocercus spinosus) – Intermediate
• Common monkey lizard (Polychrus marmoratus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Blue tree iguana (Uracentron azureum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×60×100 cm for a pair), 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.