Nidua fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus scutellatus)

Short answers

Nidua fringe-fingered lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×40 cm.

Nidua fringe-fingered lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–38 °C, basking spot 50 °C, at night 16–21 °C.

Nidua fringe-fingered lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Nidua fringe-fingered lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

Nidua fringe-fingered lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–38 °C

Night temperature

16–21 °C

Basking spot

50 °C

Humidity

20–35 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×40 cm

Substrate

Very deep, fine drift sand (15–25 cm), a few dry twigs

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, mealworm larvae

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–22 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

The Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler dry spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Keep as a pair (1.1) for the least stress; one male with 2-3 females (1.2 or 1.3) also works in a large, well-structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together. The genus Acanthodactylus is known as markedly aggressive, with rivals continually fighting over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently driven off; females usually get along but need their own warm spots and hides.

Notes

A true wind-blown-sand species with heavily fringed toes. Keep it extremely hot and dry; waterlogging quickly leads to skin problems. Very fast and skittish.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Nidua fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus scutellatus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bosk's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus) – Intermediate
• Dumeril's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus dumerilii) – Intermediate
• Spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) – Intermediate
• Spotted fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus maculatus) – Intermediate
• Golden fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus aureus) – Intermediate
• Long-footed fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus longipes) – Intermediate
• Leopard fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus pardalis) – Intermediate
• Schreiber's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus schreiberi) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Nidua fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus scutellatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm), substrate (Very deep, fine drift sand (15–25 cm), a few dry twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.