Red-bellied rock agama (Laudakia erythrogastra)

Short answers

Red-bellied rock agama: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×80 cm (rock structures with crevices, some height).

Red-bellied rock agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–35 °C, basking spot 45–55 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Red-bellied rock agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Red-bellied rock agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years.

Red-bellied rock agama: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–35 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

45–55 °C

Humidity

30–50 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×80 cm (rock structures with crevices, some height)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, solid rock structures with crevices and caves, a heated rock

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous: insects (beetles, locusts, crickets) plus plant food and flowers; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 25–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years

Origin

Iran, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan; rocky mountain regions (syn. Paralaudakia erythrogastra, the red-bellied rock agama)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; very rarely kept, usually wild-caught

Brumation

A pronounced winter rest is needed: about 3–4 months at ~8–12 °C (a mountain species)

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (territorial, rock-dwelling); one male plus females is possible in a large facility. NEVER keep males together.

Notes

Barely any species-specific husbandry literature is available – the figures are largely derived from the genus Paralaudakia/Laudakia (caucasia for example) and are therefore UNCERTAIN. A montane rock agama needing a winter rest; a strong basking gradient, and plenty of crevices and hides.

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Related species

• Painted agama (Laudakia melanura) – Intermediate
• Starred agama (Laudakia stellio) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) – Intermediate
• Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) – Intermediate
• Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Red-bellied rock agama (Laudakia erythrogastra) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×80 cm (rock structures with crevices, some height)), substrate (A sand-loam mix, solid rock structures with crevices and caves, a heated rock), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.