Military dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis)

Short answers

Military dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm for a group.

Military dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 29–35 °C, basking spot Basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Military dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 12.0).

Military dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Military dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

29–35 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 45–50 °C

Humidity

25–40 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm for a group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with grass tussocks

Feeding

Food

Crickets, locusts, roaches and house crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–25 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

Central Australia

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler rest of 6–8 weeks at 14–18 °C

Cohabitation

Harem (1,2); Männchen niemals zusammen. Der Grund: mehrere Männchen kämpfen um Revier und Wärmeplatz, bis eines verletzt ist oder dauerhaft in der Ecke sitzt. Weibchen vertragen sich meist, brauchen aber je eigene Wärme- und Versteckplätze; bei Größenunterschieden getrennt füttern.

Notes

A spinifex dweller; it needs dense grass structure rather than open ground.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Military dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Ring-tailed dragon (Ctenophorus caudicinctus) – Intermediate
• Painted dragon (Ctenophorus pictus) – Intermediate
• Western netted dragon (Ctenophorus reticulatus) – Intermediate
• Lake Eyre dragon (Ctenophorus maculosus) – Intermediate
• Central netted dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) – Intermediate
• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate
• Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Military dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm for a group), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with grass tussocks), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.