Karoo girdled lizard (Karusasaurus polyzonus)

Short answers

Karoo girdled lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm.

Karoo girdled lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 14–19 °C.

Karoo girdled lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Karoo girdled lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Karoo girdled lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

14–19 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

30–45 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stone slabs with crevices, a few dry twigs

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, beetles

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–24 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

South Africa, Namibia – the Karoo

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A winter rest of 8–12 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

A colony is possible. Two males will not work together — they fight over territory and the warm spot until one is seriously injured or spends its life in a corner. One male with several females, on the other hand, works reliably. What matters is several warm spots and hides so that subordinate animals can get out of the way, and separate feeding as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

Slimmer and more agile than the typical Cordylus, with a yellow-brown banding pattern. A very dry, warm semi-desert species – waterlogging is tolerated poorly.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Drakensberg crag lizard (Pseudocordylus subviridis) – Intermediate
• Common crag lizard (Pseudocordylus melanotus) – Intermediate
• Jones' girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii) – Beginner
• Cape girdled lizard (Cordylus cordylus) – Intermediate
• Graceful crag lizard (Hemicordylus capensis) – Intermediate
• Armadillo girdled lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) – Expert
• Sungazer (Smaug giganteus) – Expert
• Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Karoo girdled lizard (Karusasaurus polyzonus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stone slabs with crevices, a few dry twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.