Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti)

Short answers

Guatemalan beaded lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm for one animal (larger is better).

Guatemalan beaded lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 35–38 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Guatemalan beaded lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3).

Guatemalan beaded lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 25–30 years.

Guatemalan beaded lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35–38 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

50–70 % (with a humid floor zone or hide)

UVB

UVB recommended (Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm for one animal (larger is better)

Substrate

A sand and soil mix they can dig in, with stones, roots, cork tubes and damp retreats

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous: rodents, chicks, quail and other bird eggs, occasionally insects

Feeding interval

adults sparingly, approx. 1×/week (avoid obesity)

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 60–80 cm total length

Life expectancy

approx. 25–30 years

Origin

Endemic to the Motagua valley (south-eastern Guatemala); dry thorn scrub (Motagua Valley thornscrub)

Protection status

VENOMOUS and critically endangered (IUCN Critically Endangered, and CITES Appendix I / EU Annex A since 2007). Effectively NOT in private trade – only in official or zoological conservation breeding (Project Heloderma). The strictest permit and proof requirements apply

Brumation

A cooler, drier rest period matching the dry season (several weeks at about 15–20 °C) is called for

Cohabitation

Keep them singly. NEVER keep males together (ritual fights). Breed them only within controlled conservation breeding by specialist institutions

Notes

One of the rarest lizards in the world (the population is estimated in places at under 200–700 animals). Practically unavailable and not permitted for private keeping – this entry is mainly informative. The husbandry figures are derived from the closely related H. horridum/exasperatum group.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Chiapan beaded lizard (Heloderma alvarezi) – Expert
• Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) – Expert
• Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) – Expert
• Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (Heloderma exasperatum) – Expert
• Aeolian wall lizard (Podarcis raffonei) – Expert
• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aran rock lizard (Iberolacerta aranica) – Expert
• Aurelio's rock lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Guatemalan beaded lizard (Heloderma charlesbogerti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm for one animal (larger is better)), substrate (A sand and soil mix they can dig in, with stones, roots, cork tubes and damp retreats), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.