Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio)

Short answers

Roughtail rock agama: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 120×60×80 cm.

Roughtail rock agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Roughtail rock agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (strong UVB, T5 10–12 %).

Roughtail rock agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Roughtail rock agama: 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

40–45 °C

Humidity

40–50 %

UVB

Essential (strong UVB, T5 10–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 120×60×80 cm

Substrate

A sand-loam mix, plenty of rock and cork for climbing

Feeding

Food

Insects, plus a little plant food (flowers, herbs)

Feeding interval

Adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

30–35 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The eastern Mediterranean (Greece to the Near East)

Protection status

—

Brumation

Yes, 6–10 weeks at 12–15 °C

Cohabitation

Keep as a pair or one male with several females (1.2 to 1.3) in a very large terrarium; males are strongly territorial, defend their patch with head-bobbing and threat colouration, and never tolerate each other.

Notes

A decided rock dweller and sun worshipper: it needs very bright light, a distinct warm spot and climbing structures of stone. Cooler retreats matter just as much, so the animal can regulate itself.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• 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
• Caucasian agama (Paralaudakia caucasia) – Intermediate
• Namibian rock agama (Agama planiceps) – Intermediate
• Secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Roughtail rock agama (Stellagama stellio) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 120×60×80 cm), substrate (A sand-loam mix, plenty of rock and cork for climbing), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.