Bushveld lizard (Heliobolus lugubris)

Short answers

Bushveld lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×40 cm.

Bushveld lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 16–21 °C.

Bushveld lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Bushveld lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Bushveld lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C

Night temperature

16–21 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

25–40 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×40 cm

Substrate

Sand they can dig in, tussocks of grass, flat stones

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, termites, mealworm larvae

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Southern Africa – the Kalahari

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping as a harem (1.2) is possible. Two males do not work together - they fight over territory and basking spots until one is seriously injured or ends up permanently cornered. One male with several females, however, works reliably. Several basking and hiding spots matter so subordinate animals can retreat, and feed separately once animals differ in size.

Notes

With their black-and-white colouring and jerky gait the young mimic foul-smelling beetles – a spectacular case of mimicry that is lost with growth. Very fast and active.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Bushveld lizard (Heliobolus lugubris) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) – Expert
• Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) – Intermediate
• Sawtail lizard (Holaspis guentheri) – Intermediate
• Bosk's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus) – Intermediate
• Spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bushveld lizard (Heliobolus lugubris) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm), substrate (Sand they can dig in, tussocks of grass, flat 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.