Madagascar keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus madagascariensis)
Lizards · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Madagascar keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus madagascariensis) (origin: South-western Madagascar – coastal dunes). Adult size around 20–28 cm total length. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Madagascar keeled plated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm.
Madagascar keeled plated lizard: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 44 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
Madagascar keeled plated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).
Madagascar keeled plated lizard: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Madagascar keeled plated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 28–34 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 44 °C
- Humidity
- 40–55 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm
- Substrate
- Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, dry twigs
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, crickets, roaches
- Feeding interval
- 3–4×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 20–28 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- South-western Madagascar – coastal dunes
- Protection status
- CITES II
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- Cohabitation
- A pair or 1.2. 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
Slender and long-tailed, with a distinct collar. A sand dweller of the coastal dunes – it needs diggable substrate and strong UVB. Rare in captivity.
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Related species
- Rough-scaled plated lizard (Broadleysaurus major) – Intermediate
- Yellow-throated plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis) – Beginner
- Broad-tailed girdled lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) – Intermediate
- Madagascar girdled lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) – Beginner
- Giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus) – Intermediate
- Black-lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus) – Beginner
- Four-lined girdled lizard (Zonosaurus quadrilineatus) – Intermediate
- Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Madagascar keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus madagascariensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracheloptychus_madagascariensis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Tracheloptychus&species=madagascariensis
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).