Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii)

Short answers

Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh.

Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal), at night 14–18 °C.

Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); cloud forest and pine-oak forest mean filtered light.

Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea).

Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); cloud forest and pine-oak forest mean filtered light

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh

Substrate

Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), plenty of climbing branches and bark

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; well gut-loaded plus calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–30 cm total length (with the tail)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea)

Origin

Mexico: the uplands of Guerrero, Morelos, México and Michoacán; cloud and pine-oak forest ~1,500–3,000 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (specially protected); proof of origin plus registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals

Brumation

Yes: a cool spell of ~2–3 months in winter; ~12–16 °C by day, ~8–12 °C at night (a montane climate)

Cohabitation

Keep singly or as a harem (one male with 1-2 females) in a large, structured enclosure with sight barriers; never house males together - territorial with fights over territory. Females usually get on. Not confirmed species-specifically for this species, only for the genus.

Notes

Endangered (IUCN), barely in the hobby; the husbandry figures are derived from the genus and from A. graminea. Live-bearing, 1 litter a year (about 7–12 young). A common mistake is too warm and too dry.

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Related species

• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Frost's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia frosti) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh), substrate (Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), plenty of climbing branches and bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.