Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra)

Short answers

Golden pricklenape: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 120×70×150 cm for a single animal, 140×70×170 cm for a pair; large water section (about 1/4 of the floor area) with moving water.

Golden pricklenape: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C (preferred temperature ~25 °C), basking spot local warm spot max. ~30 °C (shade-seeker – never overheat the enclosure), at night 18–20 °C.

Golden pricklenape: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; position it at the basking spot).

Golden pricklenape: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10 years.

Golden pricklenape: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C (preferred temperature ~25 °C)

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

local warm spot max. ~30 °C (shade-seeker – never overheat the enclosure)

Humidity

70–80 % by day, 90–100 % at night

UVB

UVB needed (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; position it at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 120×70×150 cm for a single animal, 140×70×170 cm for a pair; large water section (about 1/4 of the floor area) with moving water

Substrate

Terrarium soil or coco humus with moss and leaf litter; a LECA drainage layer with a fleece against waterlogging

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: earthworms, crickets, roaches, larvae; large animals rarely take smelt or a nestling mouse; calcium and D3

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~32 cm total length (with the tail)

Life expectancy

approx. 10 years

Origin

Southern Vietnam (Đồng Nai, Khánh Hòa, Lâm Đồng) and eastern Cambodia (Mondolkiri); shaded montane and lowland rainforest, usually near water

Protection status

Not listed under CITES (as far as research shows); often wild-caught – prefer captive breeding and proof of origin

Brumation

A winter rest of about 2 months: reduce the heat by 4–5 °C and shorten the lighting hours, and stop feeding

Cohabitation

Territorial. Keeping them singly is the standard; a pair or harem (one male plus females) only in a large, well-structured tall enclosure with visual barriers; NEVER two males (fights)

Notes

The "green / golden forest dragon", diurnal but shade-seeking – do not make the lighting too intense. The main mistakes: too warm or too dry. It needs a large water section and high humidity with good ventilation (a risk of mould).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bintang mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura bintangensis) – Intermediate
• Short-legged horned lizard (Acanthosaura brachypoda) – Intermediate
• Brown pricklenape (Acanthosaura lepidogaster) – Intermediate
• Cardamom mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura cardamomensis) – Intermediate
• Crowned pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata) – Intermediate
• Masked spiny lizard (Acanthosaura crucigera) – Intermediate
• Natalia's pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae) – Intermediate
• Phong Dien pricklenape (Acanthosaura phongdienensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 120×70×150 cm for a single animal, 140×70×170 cm for a pair; large water section (about 1/4 of the floor area) with moving water), substrate (Terrarium soil or coco humus with moss and leaf litter; a LECA drainage layer with a fleece against waterlogging), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.