Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana)

Short answers

Common butterfly lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm for 1 animal, from 150×80×60 cm for a pair; what matters is running space and at least 20 cm of diggable substrate.

Common butterfly lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 38–40 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Common butterfly lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Common butterfly lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years (in captivity).

Common butterfly lizard: 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

38–40 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm for 1 animal, from 150×80×60 cm for a pair; what matters is running space and at least 20 cm of diggable substrate

Substrate

A deep (at least 20 cm) soil and sand mix for self-dug burrows; flat basking spots

Feeding

Food

Mostly insects (crickets, locusts) plus a little fruit and greens; calcium daily, vitamins once a week

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 30–45 cm total length (males larger); of which 12–15 cm is snout–vent length, the rest is tail

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years (in captivity)

Origin

Southeast Asia: Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Bangka); open sandy ground, dunes and coastal strips. Introduced to Florida. Not found in Laos.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; mostly wild-caught – mind quarantine and parasites

Brumation

No real winter rest (tropical)

Cohabitation

Pairs (1.1) are the least stressful: the species is largely monogamous and pairs share one burrow; keeping a single animal also works. A group of 1 male + several females only in a large enclosure with several burrowing spots – downside: squabbles over burrows and food. Males are territorial, NEVER together; keep juveniles separate from adults (risk of injury).

Notes

A ground-dwelling burrowing agama – a deep substrate build-up and plenty of floor area matter more than height. Named for its colourful flank folds ("butterfly wings"). Usually wild-caught → faecal checks. Fast and shy, a flight animal.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Spotted butterfly lizard (Leiolepis guttata) – Intermediate
• Red-banded butterfly lizard (Leiolepis rubritaeniata) – Intermediate
• Reeves' butterfly lizard (Leiolepis reevesii) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) – Intermediate
• Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm for 1 animal, from 150×80×60 cm for a pair; what matters is running space and at least 20 cm of diggable substrate), substrate (A deep (at least 20 cm) soil and sand mix for self-dug burrows; flat basking spots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.