Clark's spiny lizard (Sceloporus clarkii)

Short answers

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

100×50×70 cm.

Clark's spiny lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 16–21 °C.

Clark's spiny lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Clark's spiny lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Clark's spiny lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

16–21 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

35–50 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stone slabs, sturdy sloping branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–30 cm total length

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Arizona, northern Mexico

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with one or two females (1,2) is also possible if every animal gets its own basking spot and hide, and animals of different sizes are fed separately. Two males do not get on: in closely related, better-studied Sceloporus species, male fights over territory and the basking spot regularly end in injury.

Notes

An arboreal spiny lizard with a blue-green sheen and black armbands. It needs more climbing structure than the rock-dwelling species.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bunch-grass lizard (Sceloporus mucronatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) – Intermediate
• Eastern spiny lizard (Sceloporus spinosus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii) – Beginner
• Fire-headed spiny lizard (Sceloporus pyrocephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus serrifer) – Intermediate
• Striped plateau lizard (Sceloporus virgatus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Clark's spiny lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stone slabs, sturdy sloping branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.