Horvath's rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi)

Short answers

Horvath's rock lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

One animal from approx. 80×40×60 cm, heavily rocky and vertical (a crevice dweller).

Horvath's rock lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C (local basking spot), at night 12–16 °C.

Horvath's rock lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Horvath's rock lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–10 years (barely documented in captivity).

Horvath's rock lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

12–16 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (local basking spot)

Humidity

60–80 % (cool and humid, karst and rock)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

one animal from approx. 80×40×60 cm, heavily rocky and vertical (a crevice dweller)

Substrate

A loam and sand mix with plenty of stone slabs, rock crevices and scree; some mossy, damp areas

Feeding

Food

Small insects and spiders (small house crickets, flies, spiders)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length up to ~18 cm (SVL ~6.5 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 6–10 years (barely documented in captivity)

Origin

The south-eastern Alps to Croatia and the karst (East Tyrol, the Carnic Alps, the Karawanks, Slovenia, Croatia), usually 800–1,200 m, humid cool rock habitats

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annex IV, Bern Convention Appendix II → strictly protected in Germany and the EU; taking from the wild is prohibited, and proof of origin and registration are required. Effectively not in the trade.

Brumation

A long winter rest (about 3–4 months) at 4–8 °C

Cohabitation

Keep singly or as a pair at most (1.1) in a large, damp, rocky terrarium. Little territoriality is documented for the species itself; the closely related I. monticola shows territorial males during the breeding season, so as a precaution two males should be kept apart.

Notes

A protected rock and karst specialist, fond of coolness; not a regular pet species. The husbandry figures are derived from habitat data and montane rock lizards – uncertain.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Aran rock lizard (Iberolacerta aranica) – Expert
• Aurelio's rock lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi) – Expert
• Batuecan rock lizard (Iberolacerta martinezricai) – Expert
• Pyrenean rock lizard (Iberolacerta bonnali) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Iberian rock lizard (Iberolacerta monticola) – Expert
• Leon rock lizard (Iberolacerta galani) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Cyren's rock lizard (Iberolacerta cyreni) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Horvath's rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (one animal from approx. 80×40×60 cm, heavily rocky and vertical (a crevice dweller)), substrate (A loam and sand mix with plenty of stone slabs, rock crevices and scree; some mossy, damp areas), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.