El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi)
Lizards · Difficulty: No husbandry possible.
Key facts and care guidance for El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) (origin: El Hierro). Adult size around 40–60 cm. Life expectancy 5–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
El Hierro giant lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?
200×100×80 cm for a pair.
El Hierro giant lizard: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 14–18 °C.
El Hierro giant lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).
El Hierro giant lizard: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 5–12 years.
El Hierro giant lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – keeping this species is not considered possible.
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 14–18 °C
- Basking spot
- Basking spot 40–45 °C
- Humidity
- 40–60 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 200×100×80 cm for a pair
- Substrate
- A sand-loam mix with rock structures and a dry-stone wall
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, house crickets, roaches and wax moths; the Gallotia species also take fruit and flowers
- Feeding interval
- adults 3–4×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 40–60 cm
- Life expectancy
- 5–12 years
- Origin
- El Hierro
- Protection status
- Bern Convention, CITES I, IUCN "Critically Endangered" — trade is ruled out
- Brumation
- A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks at 10–14 °C
- Cohabitation
- Keeping as a harem (1.2 or 1.3) is possible; males must never be housed together. Several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.
Notes
One of the rarest lizards in the world, with only a few hundred animals left. It is listed here only for completeness and belongs solely in state conservation breeding.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlantica) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) – Intermediate
- Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti) – Intermediate
- La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana) – No husbandry possible.
- Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) – No husbandry possible.
- Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
- Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
What you need to start
To keep El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×100×80 cm for a pair), substrate (A sand-loam mix with rock structures and a dry-stone wall), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/El-Hierro-Rieseneidechse, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallotia
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).