Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris)

Short answers

Boettger's lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm for a group.

Boettger's lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 14–18 °C.

Boettger's lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Boettger's lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–12 years.

Boettger's lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 40–45 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm for a group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with rock structures and a dry-stone wall

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches and wax moths; the Gallotia species also take fruit and flowers

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–28 cm

Life expectancy

5–12 years

Origin

El Hierro and La Gomera

Protection status

Bern Convention Appendix II — proof of origin required

Brumation

A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks at 10–14 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping as a harem (1.2 or 1.3) is possible; males must never be housed together. Several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

It eats largely plant material. Fruit and flowers are a fixed part of the menu.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlantica) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) – Intermediate
• El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) – No husbandry possible.
• Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti) – Intermediate
• La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana) – No husbandry possible.
• Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) – No husbandry possible.
• Amur grass lizard (Takydromus amurensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Armenian rock lizard (Darevskia armeniaca) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm for a group), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures and a dry-stone wall), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.