Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia taeniata)

Short answers

Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×80 cm (arboreal, height matters; for 1–2 animals).

Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (cool basking spot; above 32 °C heat build-up becomes life-threatening), at night 14–18 °C.

Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3).

Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years.

Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (cool basking spot; above 32 °C heat build-up becomes life-threatening)

Humidity

70–90 % (well ventilated, let it dry out at times)

UVB

UVB needed (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×80 cm (arboreal, height matters; for 1–2 animals)

Substrate

Sphagnum moss with coco humus or chips, damp but airy

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, house crickets, roaches, snails, caterpillars), low in protein and well supplemented with vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles approx. 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

total length ~25–30 cm (the banded, somewhat larger species)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years

Origin

Eastern Mexico (Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, northern Puebla, Querétaro, Veracruz, Guanajuato); cloud and pine-oak forest; IUCN Vulnerable

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B; proof of origin plus registration required, captive-bred animals only

Brumation

No real winter rest; a slight winter cooling to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly or as a pair (1.1); NEVER keep males together (territorial fights); live-bearing (ovoviviparous)

Notes

A more widespread, bromeliad-dwelling species (the banded or bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard). Cool cloud-forest conditions; avoid overheating and waterlogging. The care is typical of the genus and well documented; species-specific captive data are limited.

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Related species

• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bromeliad arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia taeniata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×80 cm (arboreal, height matters; for 1–2 animals)), substrate (Sphagnum moss with coco humus or chips, damp but airy), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.