Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama)

Short answers

Common agama – red-headed: How big does the enclosure need to be?

Single animal from 120 × 60 × 60 cm, 200 × 100 × 150 cm recommended; at least 180 × 90 × 180 cm for a pair or harem group — climbing walls and height matter.

Common agama – red-headed: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 40–50 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Common agama – red-headed: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6; the lamp no more than 30 cm above the basking spot).

Common agama – red-headed: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–10 years.

Common agama – red-headed: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

40–50 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

UVB is essential (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6; the lamp no more than 30 cm above the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

single animal from 120 × 60 × 60 cm, 200 × 100 × 150 cm recommended; at least 180 × 90 × 180 cm for a pair or harem group — climbing walls and height matter

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, flat stone slabs as a basking spot, several hides in different temperature zones

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, crickets, roaches, locusts); occasionally a little greenery; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–40 cm total length (males larger)

Life expectancy

approx. 6–10 years

Origin

Sub-Saharan Africa (savannah and rock, often near settlements → the "settler agama")

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; mostly wild-caught – quarantine and a faecal examination

Brumation

No winter rest (tropical); possibly a slight dry-season drop

Cohabitation

A harem is possible: one dominant male plus several females in a large enclosure. The males are extremely territorial and are NEVER kept together (severe fights).

Notes

The "red head agama" of the trade is often Agama picticauda (Peter's rock agama) – check the taxonomy and identification. Usually wild-caught (parasites, settling-in stress). It needs a strong basking gradient and plenty of visual barriers and hides; shy, and its colour intensifies when it feels well.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Kirk's rock agama (Agama kirkii) – Intermediate
• Namibian rock agama (Agama planiceps) – Intermediate
• Red-headed rock agama (Agama agama lionotus) – Intermediate
• Mwanza flat-headed rock agama (Agama mwanzae) – Intermediate
• Southern rock agama (Agama atra) – Intermediate
• West African rainbow agama (Agama picticauda) – Intermediate
• Bibron's agama (Agama impalearis) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (single animal from 120 × 60 × 60 cm, 200 × 100 × 150 cm recommended; at least 180 × 90 × 180 cm for a pair or harem group — climbing walls and height matter), substrate (A sand-loam mix, flat stone slabs as a basking spot, several hides in different temperature zones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.