Giant plated lizard (Zonosaurus maximus)

Short answers

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

100×50×50 cm for a pair.

Giant plated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot Basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 21–24 °C.

Giant plated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Giant plated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Giant plated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–31 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 35–40 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a large water section

Feeding

Food

Crickets, roaches, house crickets and earthworms, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

40–50 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

Eastern Madagascar

Protection status

CITES II — proof of origin required

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler and drier in winter

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs (1.1); males never together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on, but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

The largest species; it lives near water and swims well. It needs a large water section.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bronze plated lizard (Zonosaurus aeneus) – Intermediate
• Karsten's girdled lizard (Zonosaurus karsteni) – Intermediate
• Broad-tailed girdled lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) – Intermediate
• Madagascar girdled lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) – Beginner
• Ornate girdled lizard (Zonosaurus ornatus) – Intermediate
• Four-lined girdled lizard (Zonosaurus quadrilineatus) – Intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant plated lizard (Zonosaurus maximus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a large water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.