Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia montecristoi)

Short answers

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

At least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh.

Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal), at night 14–18 °C.

Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); cloud forest means filtered light.

Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea).

Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); cloud forest means filtered light

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh

Substrate

Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), with climbing branches and bark

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–30 cm total length (a genus figure; species-specific data are sparse)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea)

Origin

El Salvador / Honduras / Guatemala (Trifinio, the Montecristo cloud forest near Metapán), ~1,370–2,250 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (specially protected); proof of origin plus registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals

Brumation

Yes: a cool spell of ~2–3 months in winter; ~12–16 °C by day, ~8–12 °C at night (a montane climate)

Cohabitation

Housing singly is recommended; a single male with one to two females is possible in a large, well-structured enclosure with sight-breaks but is not guaranteed to work - males must never be kept together.

Notes

Endangered (IUCN), from the cloud forest of the tri-border area; barely in the hobby. The husbandry figures are derived from the genus. Live-bearing.

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Related species

• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Montecristo arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia montecristoi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh), substrate (Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted (bromeliads, moss), with climbing branches and 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.