Graphic spiny lizard (Sceloporus grammicus)

Short answers

Graphic spiny lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×60 cm.

Graphic spiny lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 14–19 °C.

Graphic spiny lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Graphic spiny lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Graphic spiny lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

14–19 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, pieces of bark, stone slabs, sloping branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, firebrats

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Mexico, southern Texas – montane and dry forest

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with one or two females (1,2) is also possible if every animal gets its own basking spot and hide, and animals of different sizes are fed separately. Two males do not get on: they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner.

Notes

A small, live-bearing spiny lizard with fine, keeled scales. It lives on tree bark – cork bark matters more than stone structures.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Graphic spiny lizard (Sceloporus grammicus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bunch-grass lizard (Sceloporus mucronatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) – Intermediate
• Clark's spiny lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) – Beginner
• Eastern spiny lizard (Sceloporus spinosus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii) – Beginner
• Fire-headed spiny lizard (Sceloporus pyrocephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus serrifer) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Graphic spiny lizard (Sceloporus grammicus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, pieces of bark, stone slabs, sloping branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.