Kakhien salea (Salea kakhienensis)

Short answers

Kakhien salea: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×80 cm (arboreal, tall).

Kakhien salea: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot — to a mild spot of max. ~28–30 °C (montane forest species), at night 16–18 °C.

Kakhien salea: Does it need UVB lighting?

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

Kakhien salea: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: uncertain, estimated at 5–8 years.

Kakhien salea: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

16–18 °C

Basking spot

— to a mild spot of max. ~28–30 °C (montane forest species)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

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

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×80 cm (arboreal, tall)

Substrate

Forest floor or coco humus with moss and leaf litter, damp

Feeding

Food

Small insects (crickets, house crickets, roaches)

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 20–30 cm including the tail (an estimate)

Life expectancy

uncertain, estimated at 5–8 years

Origin

Southern China (western Yunnan), Myanmar (east of the Irrawaddy), north-eastern India, northern Thailand; montane forest

Protection status

No CITES; observe the national protection rules of the countries of origin, and proof of origin is recommended. Today usually treated as Pseudocalotes kakhienensis

Brumation

A slight cool rest period is possible depending on the altitude they come from

Cohabitation

Single housing or pair (1.1); no 2 males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the best hiding places until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner.

Notes

Taxonomically moved from Salea to Pseudocalotes. Very rarely kept, with barely any solid keeper data – the figures are derived from the genus Pseudocalotes and its montane forest origin (low confidence).

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• Horsfield's salea (Salea horsfieldii) – Expert
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• Common flying dragon (Draco volans) – Expert
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All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Kakhien salea (Salea kakhienensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×80 cm (arboreal, tall)), substrate (Forest floor or coco humus with moss and leaf litter, damp), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.