Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii)

Short answers

Madrean alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

90×45×45 cm for a pair (expert-report formula: 6 × 3 × 3 times snout–vent length; at 14 cm SVL that is 84 × 42 × 42 cm).

Madrean alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 18–25 °C, basking spot 36 °C, at night 14–19 °C.

Madrean alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0).

Madrean alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Madrean alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

18–25 °C

Night temperature

14–19 °C

Basking spot

36 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0–10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

90×45×45 cm for a pair (expert-report formula: 6 × 3 × 3 times snout–vent length; at 14 cm SVL that is 84 × 42 × 42 cm)

Substrate

Sand-loam with leaf litter, stone slabs, pieces of bark

Feeding

Food

House crickets, field crickets, small grasshoppers, caterpillars, roaches, woodlice, spiders, earthworms

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–40 cm total length (snout–vent length 8–14 cm, tail about twice as long)

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Southeast Arizona and southwest New Mexico, further south into Sonora, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima; montane forests, canyons and grassland at around 900–2700 m altitude

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Pair. Two males do not go together — they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is seriously injured or permanently sits in a corner. A male with one female usually gets along well if there is enough space; an additional female is possible but brings more competition for warmth and food. Several basking and hiding spots are important so that lower-ranking animals can get out of the way, and feed separately as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

A smaller, boldly banded montane species. It lives in humid gorges in otherwise dry mountains – offer a locally damp corner in an otherwise dry terrarium.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Baja California alligator lizard (Elgaria paucicarinata) – Intermediate
• Northern alligator lizard (Elgaria coerulea) – Intermediate
• Panamint alligator lizard (Elgaria panamintina) – Intermediate
• Southern alligator lizard (Elgaria multicarinata) – Beginner
• Asian glass lizard (Dopasia gracilis) – Intermediate
• Slow worm (Anguis fragilis) – Intermediate
• Hart's glass lizard (Dopasia harti) – Intermediate
• Italian slow worm (Anguis veronensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Madrean alligator lizard (Elgaria kingii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (90×45×45 cm for a pair (expert-report formula: 6 × 3 × 3 times snout–vent length; at 14 cm SVL that is 84 × 42 × 42 cm)), substrate (Sand-loam with leaf litter, stone slabs, pieces of bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.