Natalia's pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae)

Short answers

Natalia's pricklenape: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length).

Natalia's pricklenape: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot local warm spot up to 30 °C (do not overheat), at night 18–21 °C.

Natalia's pricklenape: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; a 6 % T5 tube).

Natalia's pricklenape: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–10 years (an estimate).

Natalia's pricklenape: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

local warm spot up to 30 °C (do not overheat)

Humidity

70–85 % by day, up to ~100 % at night

UVB

UVB recommended (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; a 6 % T5 tube)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, plus a drainage layer

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, roaches, earthworms, larvae; dusted with calcium and D3

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

medium-sized, approx. 25–30 cm total length (with the tail)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–10 years (an estimate)

Origin

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia; forest at 350–1,400 m; described in 2010

Protection status

Not listed under CITES (as far as research shows); usually wild-caught – proof of origin is advisable

Brumation

A slightly cooler rest period of 4–6 weeks is advisable (a species from higher altitudes)

Cohabitation

Single housing. The lower-stress option is one animal per enclosure, as there is no evidence that pricklenapes need company. Pairs or small groups work according to care sheets as long as several males are never kept together; the drawback is that the enclosure must then be proportionally larger and stress between the animals is hard to spot.

Notes

A relatively recent species (2010) with a wide altitudinal range – reliable husbandry data are limited; the figures are derived from genus consensus. Treat the numbers with caution.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Bintang mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura bintangensis) – Intermediate
• Short-legged horned lizard (Acanthosaura brachypoda) – Intermediate
• Brown pricklenape (Acanthosaura lepidogaster) – Intermediate
• Cardamom mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura cardamomensis) – Intermediate
• Crowned pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata) – Intermediate
• Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra) – Intermediate
• Masked spiny lizard (Acanthosaura crucigera) – Intermediate
• Phong Dien pricklenape (Acanthosaura phongdienensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Natalia's pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, plus a drainage layer), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.