Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus)

Short answers

Ocellated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 180×100×100 cm, a group over 250×150×150 cm (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts).

Ocellated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–28 °C (ambient), warmer locally, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Ocellated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot).

Ocellated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years (up to ~20).

Ocellated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–28 °C (ambient), warmer locally

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB is essential (approx. 30 % UVA / 10 % UVB; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5 at the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 180×100×100 cm, a group over 250×150×150 cm (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts)

Substrate

A deep, diggable sand-loam mix with caves, rock structures, roots and dry plants

Feeding

Food

Large insects (house crickets, locusts, roaches, wax moth caterpillars), worms; occasionally nestling mice and a little ripe fruit or egg

Feeding interval

adults 2×/week in larger portions, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

50–70 cm total length, large males over 80 cm (SVL 21–26 cm)

Life expectancy

10–15 years (up to ~20)

Origin

South-western Europe: the Iberian Peninsula, southern France, north-western Italy

Protection status

Berner Konvention Anhang II. Nicht in den EU-Anhängen A–D und nicht im FFH-Anhang IV (beides am 20.09.2026 am Rechtstext geprüft). Ob die Art über Anlage 1 der BArtSchV besonders geschützt ist, ist noch offen — vor Kauf oder Abgabe bei der Naturschutzbehörde oder über WISIA nachfragen.

Brumation

Yes: a winter rest of 2–3 months at about 6–11 °C

Cohabitation

A pair or a harem (one male with 3-4 females) in a very large, structured enclosure with sight barriers - never two males together. Do not house with smaller reptiles, which end up as prey. Wikipedia describes the species as quarrelsome, defending its territory fiercely against conspecifics.

Notes

Europe's largest lizard, with a high space, warmth and digging requirement; a powerful bite. It eats small animals – do not house it with smaller species.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Nevada ocellated lizard (Timon nevadensis) – Intermediate
• Moroccan ocellated lizard (Timon pater) – 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 Ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×80 cm for one animal; a pair from 180×100×100 cm, a group over 250×150×150 cm (a ground-dweller, floor area is what counts)), substrate (A deep, diggable sand-loam mix with caves, rock structures, roots and dry plants), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.