Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari)

Short answers

Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh.

Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C (warmer / lowland), basking spot ~28–30 °C, no higher, at night 18–22 °C.

Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, uncertain).

Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C (warmer / lowland)

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

~28–30 °C, no higher

Humidity

75–95 % (humid tropical)

UVB

UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh

Substrate

Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted, plenty of climbing branches and bark

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 20–25 cm total length (estimated, hardly known)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, uncertain)

Origin

Mexico, Veracruz (the type locality at ~360 m near Cuetzalapan) – unusually low-lying and warm for an Abronia

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (specially protected); proof of origin plus registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals

Brumation

No real winter rest (tropical lowland); at most a slight seasonal drop

Cohabitation

Keep singly, or as a 1.1 pair or one male with 1-2 females; never house males together - territorial. Not confirmed species-specifically for this species, only for the genus.

Notes

UNCERTAIN: a very poorly known species with only a few voucher specimens and no husbandry data at all; its taxonomic status is partly debated. Because of its lowland origin (about 360 m) it is to be kept warmer and WITHOUT a cool winter – differing from the montane pattern of the genus. All the figures are estimated or derived conservatively.

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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
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert
• Frost's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia frosti) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh), substrate (Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted, plenty of climbing branches and bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.