Doria's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus doriae)

Short answers

Doria's angle-headed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×70×120 cm for one animal (larger for a pair), tall and vertical with upright trunks.

Doria's angle-headed lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–29 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C (local basking spot), at night 23–24 °C.

Doria's angle-headed lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; ~5–10 % UVB).

Doria's angle-headed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10 years in captivity.

Doria's angle-headed lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–29 °C

Night temperature

23–24 °C

Basking spot

30–32 °C (local basking spot)

Humidity

70–90 % (70–80 % by day, higher at night)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 2–3; ~5–10 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×70×120 cm for one animal (larger for a pair), tall and vertical with upright trunks

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with sphagnum moss and leaf litter, moisture-retaining

Feeding

Food

Insects: house crickets, roaches, crickets, locusts, worms; with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

males up to approx. 37 cm, females up to approx. 32 cm (total length)

Life expectancy

approx. 10 years in captivity

Origin

Borneo (Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah), lowland and hill rainforest; since 2023 the forms from the Malay Peninsula and southern Thailand (subspecies abbotti) as well as Sumatra (subspecies brevis) have again been placed within this species. Belongs to the chamaeleontinus subgroup.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES, no special protection under German nature conservation law; proof of origin is advisable for wild-caught animals

Brumation

None (a tropical species)

Cohabitation

Singly or in pairs (1.1); NEVER keep males together (territorial). House them together only with plenty of space, structure and supervision

Notes

It typically runs sideways around trunks (hiding from the observer). Very prone to stress, and slow to settle in. It needs running or dripping water and somewhere to bathe.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Doria's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bell's angle-headed dragon (Gonocephalus bellii) – Intermediate to expert
• Borneo angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus bornensis) – Expert
• Chameleon angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus chamaeleontinus) – Expert
• Great angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus grandis) – Expert
• Kuhl's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus kuhlii) – Expert
• Blue-eyed angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus liogaster) – Intermediate
• Large-scaled angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus megalepis) – Expert
• Mjöberg's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus mjobergi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Doria's angle-headed lizard (Gonocephalus doriae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×70×120 cm for one animal (larger for a pair), tall and vertical with upright trunks), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with sphagnum moss and leaf litter, moisture-retaining), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.