Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae)

Short answers

Dickerson's collared lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm for a pair.

Dickerson's collared lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–36 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Dickerson's collared lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0, a very high requirement).

Dickerson's collared lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Dickerson's collared lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–36 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

35–50 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0, a very high requirement)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm for a pair

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with securely built rock slabs and stone structures on top

Feeding

Food

Robust insects; larger animals also take small lizards; calcium and vitamins regularly

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–33 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Coastal Sonora and Isla Tiburón, Mexico – hot coastal desert

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; IUCN: not threatened. A Mexican endemic — wild-caught animals may not leave Mexico, so only documented captive breeding.

Brumation

Optional: a short, mild rest of 4–6 weeks at 16–18 °C

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs (1.1); males must never be housed together. In closely related collared lizards it is documented that males placed together in a terrarium fight to the death; a single male, however, can claim and defend several females as a 'harem'. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

The most colourful species in the genus: the males are brilliant blue to turquoise with white spotting and a black mouth. It comes from a markedly hotter and somewhat more humid coastal climate than the collared lizard — the night drop and the winter rest are milder. That is exactly why it is not one for beginners: cared for on the standard collared-lizard programme, the animals come through the resting phase badly.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Baja collared lizard (Crotaphytus vestigium) – Intermediate
• Venerable collared lizard (Crotaphytus antiquus) – Expert
• Grismer's collared lizard (Crotaphytus grismeri) – Expert
• Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) – Intermediate
• Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) – Intermediate
• Baja California collared lizard (Crotaphytus insularis) – Expert
• Reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus) – Intermediate
• Sonoran collared lizard (Crotaphytus nebrius) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with securely built rock slabs and stone structures on top), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.