Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta)

Short answers

Large-eared rock agama: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×70 cm.

Large-eared rock agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Large-eared rock agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Large-eared rock agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Large-eared rock agama: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

30–45 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, large stone slabs with crevices

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, leafy greens

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–37 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan – mountains

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

Pairs or a 1.2 trio (one male with two females) work well; two males never go together — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is badly injured or ends up permanently cornered. One male with several females works reliably instead. Several warm spots and hides are important so lower-ranking animals can retreat, and feed separately once sizes differ.

Notes

A large, powerful rock agama with a striking ear region. It needs a genuine winter rest – without a cold phase there is no breeding and the animals age faster.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Himalayan agama (Paralaudakia himalayana) – Intermediate
• Caucasian agama (Paralaudakia caucasia) – Intermediate
• Red-bellied rock agama (Paralaudakia erythrogastra) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) – Intermediate
• Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, large stone slabs with crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.