Reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus)

Short answers

Reticulate collared lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

180×90×80 cm for a pair — the largest species in the genus needs more floor space.

Reticulate collared lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–34 °C, basking spot 45–50 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Reticulate collared lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0, a very high requirement).

Reticulate collared lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Reticulate collared lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–34 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

45–50 °C

Humidity

30–45 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0, a very high requirement)

Enclosure

Minimum size

180×90×80 cm for a pair — the largest species in the genus needs more floor space

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in with flat stones, plus thorn-scrub structure of branches and low hides

Feeding

Food

Robust insects; fully grown animals also take small lizards regularly; calcium and vitamins regularly

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–43 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Southern Texas and north-eastern Mexico – flat thorn scrub rather than rocky slopes

Protection status

Not listed under CITES, but IUCN "Vulnerable" and protected under Texas state law. Only with an unbroken chain of proof of captive breeding.

Brumation

A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks at 12–16 °C

Cohabitation

Kept in pairs (1.1); males must never be housed together. In closely related collared lizards it is documented that males placed together in a terrarium fight to the death; a single male, however, can claim and defend several females as a 'harem'. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

The largest species in the genus and the only one without the double black collar — instead a net pattern of pale spots. Unlike all the other collared lizards it lives not on rocky slopes but flat in open thorn scrub. So the enclosure needs area and low cover, not tall climbing rocks. Clarify its protection status before buying.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Baja collared lizard (Crotaphytus vestigium) – Intermediate
• Venerable collared lizard (Crotaphytus antiquus) – Expert
• Grismer's collared lizard (Crotaphytus grismeri) – Expert
• Dickerson's collared lizard (Crotaphytus dickersonae) – Intermediate
• Great Basin collared lizard (Crotaphytus bicinctores) – Intermediate
• Common collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) – Intermediate
• Baja California collared lizard (Crotaphytus insularis) – Expert
• Sonoran collared lizard (Crotaphytus nebrius) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Reticulate collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (180×90×80 cm for a pair — the largest species in the genus needs more floor space), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in with flat stones, plus thorn-scrub structure of branches and low hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.