Peters' lava lizard (Tropidurus hispidus)

Short answers

Peters' lava lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×60×60 cm.

Peters' lava lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–33 °C, basking spot 38–42 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Peters' lava lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (T5 6–10 %).

Peters' lava lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Peters' lava lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–33 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

38–42 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

Essential (T5 6–10 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with rock and root structure

Feeding

Food

Insects of all kinds, occasionally flowers and fruit

Feeding interval

Adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

up to 35 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Northern South America

Protection status

—

Brumation

No — a slight winter drop is enough

Cohabitation

Keep as a pair or one dominant male with several females in a very large, richly structured terrarium; males defend their territory with head-bobbing, chasing and biting, and subordinate animals are driven off. Keep juveniles apart from adults, as cannibalism is documented.

Notes

The largest species in the genus and correspondingly hungrier for space than Tropidurus torquatus.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Peters' lava lizard (Tropidurus hispidus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Amazon lava lizard (Tropidurus torquatus) – Intermediate
• Ghost anole (Anolis lemurinus) – Intermediate
• Aguero's false chameleon (Chamaeleolis agueroi) – Intermediate
• Ahl's anole (Anolis ahli) – Intermediate
• Baja collared lizard (Crotaphytus vestigium) – Intermediate
• Baleatus giant anole (Anolis baleatus) – Intermediate
• Baracoa giant anole (Anolis baracoae) – Intermediate
• Barahona giant anole (Anolis barahonae) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Peters' lava lizard (Tropidurus hispidus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with rock and root structure), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.