Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores)

Short answers

Great Basin collared lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm.

Great Basin collared lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–37 °C, basking spot 48 °C, at night 16–21 °C.

Great Basin collared lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Great Basin collared lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Great Basin collared lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–37 °C

Night temperature

16–21 °C

Basking spot

48 °C

Humidity

25–40 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stone slabs, scree, a few dry branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, small lizards

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The Great Basin, south-western USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

Single housing. This is the least stressful, as males are territorial and can seriously injure or kill each other. One male with up to three females only works in a correspondingly larger enclosure with several heat and hiding spots; never keep males together.

Notes

When fleeing it runs on its hind legs. Decidedly predatory – it eats smaller lizards too, so no housing with others. It needs plenty of floor area and extreme heat at the basking spot.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Baja collared lizard (Crotaphytus vestigium) – Intermediate
• Venerable collared lizard (Crotaphytus antiquus) – Expert
• Grismer's collared lizard (Crotaphytus grismeri) – Expert
• Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae) – Intermediate
• Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) – Intermediate
• Baja California collared lizard (Crotaphytus insularis) – Expert
• Reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus) – Intermediate
• Sonoran collared lizard (Crotaphytus nebrius) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stone slabs, scree, a few dry 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.