Common crag lizard (Pseudocordylus melanotus)

Short answers

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

120×60×50 cm.

Common crag lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (COOLER), basking spot 40 °C, at night 12–17 °C.

Common crag lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Common crag lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Common crag lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (COOLER)

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, large stone slabs with narrow crevices, tussocks of grass

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–28 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

South Africa, Lesotho – the Drakensberg

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

A pair or a small colony. Two males will not work together — they fight over territory and the warm spot until one is seriously injured or spends its life in a corner. One male with several females, on the other hand, works reliably. What matters is several warm spots and hides so that subordinate animals can get out of the way, and separate feeding as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

A high-mountain species with softer scales than the true girdled lizards; the males turn brilliant orange for courtship. It needs a long, cold winter rest – permanent warmth is the commonest keeping mistake.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Drakensberg crag lizard (Pseudocordylus subviridis) – Intermediate
• Cape crag lizard (Pseudocordylus microlepidotus) – Intermediate
• Transvaal crag lizard (Pseudocordylus transvaalensis) – Intermediate
• Jones' girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii) – Beginner
• Cape girdled lizard (Cordylus cordylus) – Intermediate
• Graceful crag lizard (Hemicordylus capensis) – Intermediate
• Karoo girdled lizard (Karusasaurus polyzonus) – Intermediate
• Armadillo girdled lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common crag lizard (Pseudocordylus melanotus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, large stone slabs with narrow crevices, tussocks of grass), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.