Ryukyu grass lizard (Takydromus dorsalis)

Short answers

Ryukyu grass lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×50 cm for a group.

Ryukyu grass lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–29 °C, basking spot Basking spot 32–36 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Ryukyu grass lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Ryukyu grass lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–12 years.

Ryukyu grass lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–29 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 32–36 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm for a group

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with dense grasses and thin twigs

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches and wax moths

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

22–30 cm

Life expectancy

5–12 years

Origin

The Ryukyu Islands, Japan

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler rest of 6–8 weeks at 12–16 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping as a harem (1.2 or 1.3) or in pairs (1.1) is possible; males must never be housed together. Several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

More robust than its relatives, and greenish in colour.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Amur grass lizard (Takydromus amurensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Formosan grass lizard (Takydromus formosanus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Japanese grass lizard (Takydromus tachydromoides) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Northern grass lizard (Takydromus septentrionalis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Asian grass lizard (Takydromus sexlineatus) – Intermediate
• Emerald grass lizard (Takydromus smaragdinus) – Intermediate
• Wolter's grass lizard (Takydromus wolteri) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Armenian rock lizard (Darevskia armeniaca) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Ryukyu grass lizard (Takydromus dorsalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm for a group), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with dense grasses and thin twigs), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.