Moroccan ocellated lizard (Timon pater)

Short answers

Moroccan ocellated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×70×80 cm.

Moroccan ocellated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 48 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Moroccan ocellated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Moroccan ocellated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–18 years.

Moroccan ocellated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

48 °C

Humidity

35–50 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×70×80 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam they can dig in, large stone slabs, roots

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, nestlings, fruit

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

45–65 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–18 years

Origin

Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia

Protection status

Protected in parts of its range – proof of captive breeding required

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–12 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

A pair is the least stressful option, keep males strictly apart - the genus (as documented in T. lepidus) tends towards fierce dominance fights between males over territory and the basking spot.

Notes

The North African sister species of the ocellated lizard, often with brilliant blue eyespots. A powerful bite and a large space requirement – no terrarium under 1.5 m long.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Nevada ocellated lizard (Timon nevadensis) – Intermediate
• Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) – Intermediate
• Atlas ocellated lizard (Timon tangitanus) – Intermediate
• Zagros ocellated lizard (Timon princeps) – Intermediate
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate
• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Lilford's wall lizard (Podarcis lilfordi) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Moroccan ocellated lizard (Timon pater) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×80 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, large stone slabs, roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.