Graceful crag lizard (Hemicordylus capensis)

Short answers

Graceful crag lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×50 cm.

Graceful crag lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 13–18 °C.

Graceful crag lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Graceful crag lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 12–20 years.

Graceful crag lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

13–18 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, flat stone slabs with very narrow crevices

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, flies

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–16 cm total length

Life expectancy

12–20 years

Origin

South Africa – the Cape Fold Mountains

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 6–12 °C

Cohabitation

Colony, small. Two males do not get along - they fight over territory and warm spots until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner. One male with several females works reliably, however. Several warm and hiding spots are important so lower-ranking animals can move away, and feeding should be separated once sizes differ.

Notes

Extremely flat-bodied for hair-fine rock crevices – the stone slabs have to be stacked with very little gap. Live-bearing, diurnal, but very shy.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Drakensberg crag lizard (Pseudocordylus subviridis) – Intermediate
• Common crag lizard (Pseudocordylus melanotus) – Intermediate
• Jones' girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii) – Beginner
• Cape girdled lizard (Cordylus cordylus) – Intermediate
• Karoo girdled lizard (Karusasaurus polyzonus) – Intermediate
• Armadillo girdled lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) – Expert
• Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) – Expert
• Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Graceful crag lizard (Hemicordylus capensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, flat stone slabs with very narrow 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.