Indo-Chinese forest lizard (Calotes mystaceus)

Short answers

Indo-Chinese forest lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 80×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Indo-Chinese forest lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (floor 22–24 °C), basking spot 33–40 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Indo-Chinese forest lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (UVA ~30 % / UVB 5–10 %; Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–4).

Indo-Chinese forest lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10 years.

Indo-Chinese forest lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (floor 22–24 °C)

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

33–40 °C

Humidity

50–70 % (dry season), 80 %+ (rainy season); rising at night

UVB

UVB needed (UVA ~30 % / UVB 5–10 %; Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 80×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter; plenty of branches, cork, plants and somewhere to drink

Feeding

Food

Insects and arthropods (crickets, locusts, roaches, moths); rarely small vertebrates

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to 42 cm total length (head and body 12–14 cm, the tail approx. two thirds)

Life expectancy

approx. 10 years

Origin

South-East Asia (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, southern China / Yunnan, north-eastern India, the Andamans and Nicobars); forests and wooded areas

Protection status

Not listed under CITES. Wild-caught animals are common in the trade – prefer captive-bred ones.

Brumation

No real winter rest; a seasonal dry spell (humidity reduced to 50–70 %, with milder temperatures) before the rainy season to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly works without any problems. A harem group with one male and three to four females is also possible in a large, densely planted enclosure with visual barriers. Never house males together - territorial fights are documented.

Notes

The males turn a brilliant blue-turquoise on the head when courting or excited. Prone to stress; it needs height, climbing opportunities, and to drink from misting. Often wild-caught (parasites, and settling in is often difficult). The figures are consistently documented across German and English sources.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Indo-Chinese forest lizard (Calotes mystaceus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Oriental garden lizard (Calotes versicolor) – Intermediate
• Emma Gray's forest lizard (Calotes emma) – Intermediate
• Spotted butterfly lizard (Leiolepis guttata) – Intermediate
• Painted dragon (Ctenophorus pictus) – Intermediate
• Common flying dragon (Draco volans) – Expert
• Green crested lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) – Intermediate
• Himalayan agama (Paralaudakia himalayana) – Intermediate
• Horsfield's salea (Salea horsfieldii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Indo-Chinese forest lizard (Calotes mystaceus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 80×60×120 cm for one animal; for a pair from 90×60×120 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter; plenty of branches, cork, plants and somewhere to drink), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.