Merrem's Madagascar swift (Oplurus cyclurus)

Short answers

Merrem's Madagascar swift: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×70 cm.

Merrem's Madagascar swift: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–36 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 19–23 °C.

Merrem's Madagascar swift: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Merrem's Madagascar swift: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Merrem's Madagascar swift: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–36 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, cork tubes, stone slabs, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, a few flowers

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–32 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Madagascar – spiny forest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

A pair, males strictly separated. Reason: several males fight over territory and basking spot until one is injured or permanently cornered. Females generally get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

It lives in hollow branches and seals the tube with its spiny tail. It needs cork tubes as a hide and a very hot basking spot.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Collared iguanid (Oplurus cuvieri) – Intermediate
• Four-spotted Madagascar swift (Oplurus quadrimaculatus) – Intermediate
• Anegada ground iguana (Cyclura pinguis) – Expert
• Grand Cayman blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) – Expert
• Common chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) – Intermediate
• Cape spiny-tailed iguana (Ctenosaura hemilopha) – Intermediate
• Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) – Expert
• Green iguana (Iguana iguana) – Intermediate to expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Merrem's Madagascar swift (Oplurus cyclurus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, cork tubes, stone slabs, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.