Giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus)

Short answers

Giant plated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×70×60 cm.

Giant plated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 17–22 °C.

Giant plated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Giant plated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Giant plated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

17–22 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×70×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, large stable rock structures with crevices

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, fruit, leafy greens, flowers

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

50–70 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Southern Africa – granite rock

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Colony, loose. In the wild the species often forms larger groups at suitable rock formations. Within the colony, males engage in ranking fights over the best spots - separate early if injuries occur. Provide enough hiding spots so lower-ranking animals can move away.

Notes

The largest plated lizard; it lives in rock crevices and inflates itself in them. It needs plenty of floor area and a broad, very hot basking spot. Adults eat markedly more plant material.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Rough-scaled plated lizard (Broadleysaurus major) – Intermediate
• Yellow-throated plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis) – Beginner
• Madagascar keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus madagascariensis) – Intermediate
• Broad-tailed girdled lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) – Intermediate
• Madagascar girdled lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) – Beginner
• Black-lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus) – Beginner
• Four-lined girdled lizard (Zonosaurus quadrilineatus) – Intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, large stable rock structures with crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.