Collared iguanid (Oplurus cuvieri)

Short answers

Collared iguanid: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×80 cm.

Collared iguanid: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 42–45 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

Collared iguanid: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Collared iguanid: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Collared iguanid: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

42–45 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×80 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with tree trunks and rock crevices

Feeding

Food

Insects, a few flowers and fruit

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Madagascar, the Comoros – dry forest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

A pair or a harem with one male and several females; keeping singly is also possible. Males never together: two males fight over territory and basking spot until one is seriously injured or permanently cornered. Multiple basking and hiding spots plus separate feeding for size differences matter.

Notes

It prefers to sit vertically on tree trunks and flees into crevices. It needs a very hot basking spot and dry air.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Collared iguanid (Oplurus cuvieri) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Merrem's Madagascar swift (Oplurus cyclurus) – Intermediate
• Four-spotted Madagascar swift (Oplurus quadrimaculatus) – Intermediate
• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert
• Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) – Expert
• Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Intermediate
• Cape spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha) – Intermediate
• Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) – Expert
• Green iguana (Iguana iguana) – Intermediate to expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Collared iguanid (Oplurus cuvieri) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×80 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with tree trunks and rock crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.