Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila)

Short answers

Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh.

Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–26 °C, basking spot small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal), at night 14–18 °C.

Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); dry pine-oak forest allows somewhat brighter zones.

Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea).

Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–26 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

small basking spot ~26–28 °C, NEVER above 30 °C (overheating quickly turns fatal)

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

UVB recommended (low to moderate, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index ~1–2); dry pine-oak forest allows somewhat brighter zones

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh

Substrate

Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted, climbing branches and bark (somewhat drier and airier than the cloud-forest species)

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: crickets, house crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars, snails, spiders; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 18–28 cm total length (with the tail)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years (a genus figure, based on A. graminea)

Origin

Mexico, endemic to Chiapas (the central highlands), montane pine-oak forest ~2,000–3,000 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (specially protected); proof of origin plus registration with the nature conservation authority; a zero export quota for wild-caught animals

Brumation

Yes: a cool spell of ~2–3 months in winter; ~12–16 °C by day, ~8–12 °C at night (a montane dry climate)

Cohabitation

Keep singly, or as a 1.1 pair or one male with 1-2 females; never house males together - territorial with fights over territory. Not confirmed species-specifically for this species, only for the genus.

Notes

The "red-lipped" arboreal alligator lizard; relatively widespread and stable in numbers (IUCN Least Concern), but CITES II all the same. It comes from drier pine-oak forest – a little more ventilation and drier phases than the cloud-forest species. Live-bearing.

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Related species

• Anzueto's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia anzuetoi) – Expert
• Aurita arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia aurita) – Intermediate to expert
• Bogert's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia bogerti) – Expert
• Campbell's alligator lizard (Abronia campbelli) – Expert
• Campbell's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila campbelli) – Intermediate to expert
• Chiszar's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia chiszari) – Expert
• Cuetzpali arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia cuetzpali) – Expert
• Deppe's arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia deppii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Red-lipped arboreal alligator lizard (Abronia lythrochila) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least 60×50×80 cm (L×W×H, height matters more than floor area), well ventilated / mesh), substrate (Damp sphagnum or peat moss plus coco humus; densely planted, climbing branches and bark (somewhat drier and airier than the cloud-forest species)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.