Giant ameiva (Ameiva ameiva)

Short answers

Giant ameiva: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 150×80×80 cm.

Giant ameiva: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Giant ameiva: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (T5 6–10 %).

Giant ameiva: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Giant ameiva: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

60–70 %

UVB

Essential (T5 6–10 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 150×80×80 cm

Substrate

Deep sand-loam they can dig in, with leaf litter

Feeding

Food

Insects, occasionally fruit and raw egg

Feeding interval

Adults 4–5×/week

Key facts

Adult size

40–50 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Northern South America

Protection status

—

Brumation

No

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is least stressful. There is little evidence of male rivalry for this species itself; anyone wanting to keep several should use a very large terrarium with plenty of visual barriers and watch closely for chasing or biting.

Notes

An extremely active, constantly moving ground dweller with a high metabolism: it needs plenty of area, a very hot basking spot and food to match. Not an animal for a standard enclosure.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Rainbow ameiva (Holcosus undulatus) – Intermediate
• Six-lined racerunner (Aspidoscelis sexlineata) – Intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) – Intermediate
• Artvin lizard (Darevskia derjugini) – Intermediate
• Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) – Intermediate
• Baja California alligator lizard (Elgaria paucicarinata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant ameiva (Ameiva ameiva) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 150×80×80 cm), substrate (Deep sand-loam they can dig in, with leaf litter), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.