Rough-scaled plated lizard (Broadleysaurus major)

Short answers

Rough-scaled plated lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm.

Rough-scaled plated lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 38–40 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Rough-scaled plated lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

Rough-scaled plated lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Rough-scaled plated lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

38–40 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam they can dig in, with stones and roots

Feeding

Food

Insects, a little fruit and greens

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

35–45 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Eastern and Central Africa – dry savannah

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler dry spell is possible

Cohabitation

A pair or a harem with one male and two females (1.2) is possible. Little is known about captive social behaviour for this species itself; in most plated lizards of the family Gerrhosauridae males do not tolerate each other and fight over territory and basking spot.

Notes

A powerful, armoured ground lizard. It likes to dig and takes plant food too – a mixed diet matters.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Yellow-throated plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus flavigularis) – Beginner
• Madagascar keeled plated lizard (Tracheloptychus madagascariensis) – Intermediate
• Broad-tailed girdled lizard (Zonosaurus laticaudatus) – Intermediate
• Madagascar girdled lizard (Zonosaurus madagascariensis) – Beginner
• Giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus) – Intermediate
• Black-lined plated lizard (Gerrhosaurus nigrolineatus) – Beginner
• Four-lined girdled lizard (Zonosaurus quadrilineatus) – Intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough-scaled plated lizard (Broadleysaurus major) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, with stones and roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.