Frost's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia frosti)

Short answers

Frost'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.

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

Daytime 18–24 °C (high montane, cooler), basking spot small basking spot ~24–26 °C, NEVER above 28–30 °C, at night 8–14 °C.

Frost'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 means filtered light.

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

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, uncertain).

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–24 °C (high montane, cooler)

Night temperature

8–14 °C

Basking spot

small basking spot ~24–26 °C, NEVER above 28–30 °C

Humidity

75–95 %

UVB

UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); cloud forest means 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), with climbing branches and bark

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

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

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 24–28 cm total length (SVL 100–110 mm)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, uncertain)

Origin

Guatemala, endemic to the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes (Huehuetenango), cloud forest ~2,800–2,900 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix I / EU Annex A (strictly protected); commercial use only with a CITES certificate plus photo documentation and proof of origin, and registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals – only captive-bred animals are legal

Brumation

Yes: a pronounced cool spell of ~2–3 months in winter; ~10–14 °C by day, close to 5–10 °C at night (high montane)

Cohabitation

Keep singly or as a 1.1 pair; never house males together - territorial. Not confirmed species-specifically for this species, only for the genus.

Notes

UNCERTAIN: Critically Endangered, known only from under 7 km² of forest (black and white in colour), and practically never kept – no husbandry data. Because of the extreme altitude, keep it COOLER than other Abronia. All the figures are derived from or estimated for the genus.

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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
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Frost's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia frosti) 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), with 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.