Eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis)

Short answers

Eastern green lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 120×60×80 cm, a group over 160×80×100 cm.

Eastern green lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot approx. 40 °C, at night 18–20 °C.

Eastern green lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot).

Eastern green lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Eastern green lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

approx. 40 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 120×60×80 cm, a group over 160×80×100 cm

Substrate

A loam and sand mix with grasses, open areas, stones, roots, bark and climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, locusts, roaches, wax moth caterpillars, worms; seasonally a few berries, rarely nestling mice

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

30–40 cm total length (males up to ~40 cm)

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

South-eastern and central Europe (the Balkans, Hungary, to Ukraine, north-eastern Turkey); the nominate form in the eastern range

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annex IV / Bern Convention Appendix II – strictly protected. Only legal captive-bred animals, proof of origin plus registration under German law.

Brumation

Yes: a winter rest of 2–4 months at about 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

A pair (1.1) is the least stressful option; a harem (one male with several females) also works in a large, well-structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together, as Wikipedia documents fierce fights with display behaviour, biting and chases.

Notes

A large, magnificent species (the male has a blue throat) with a high warmth and space requirement. A winter rest is essential for health and breeding; the males are very aggressive in the mating season.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) – Intermediate
• Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) – Intermediate
• Caspian green lizard (Lacerta strigata) – Intermediate
• Caucasian green lizard (Lacerta media) – Intermediate
• European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) – Intermediate
• Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 120×60×80 cm, a group over 160×80×100 cm), substrate (A loam and sand mix with grasses, open areas, stones, roots, bark and climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.