Green arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia graminea)

Short answers

Green arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60 × 60 × 90 cm for one animal (height is what matters most), absolute minimum 45 × 45 × 90 cm; a mesh or screen enclosure for ventilation.

Green arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C (max. ~28 °C), basking spot ~28 °C (small to moderate), at night 14–18 °C.

Green arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Needed, not just recommended: UV index 3–5 at the basking branch (Ferguson zone 2–3), e.g. an Arcadia T5 HO 6% Forest, about 20–25 cm above the branch.

Green arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Green arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C (max. ~28 °C)

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

~28 °C (small to moderate)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Needed, not just recommended: UV index 3–5 at the basking branch (Ferguson zone 2–3), e.g. an Arcadia T5 HO 6% Forest, about 20–25 cm above the branch

Enclosure

Minimum size

60 × 60 × 90 cm for one animal (height is what matters most), absolute minimum 45 × 45 × 90 cm; a mesh or screen enclosure for ventilation

Substrate

Damp sphagnum, cork, bromeliads, epiphytes

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, house crickets, roaches, flies)

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–30 cm

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

The montane cloud forest of Mexico (Veracruz / Puebla, to 3,000 m)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (since 2016)

Brumation

A cool winter rest (~12–18 °C)

Cohabitation

Single housing is the safe route; several care guides advise against communal housing on principle. A pair is put together for breeding only temporarily, never males together.

Notes

Sensitive to heat – never above about 30 °C! Cool, airy and humid conditions with good ventilation; live-bearing.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Green arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia graminea) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60 × 60 × 90 cm for one animal (height is what matters most), absolute minimum 45 × 45 × 90 cm; a mesh or screen enclosure for ventilation), substrate (Damp sphagnum, cork, bromeliads, epiphytes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.