Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi)

Short answers

Schreiber's green lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

One animal from approx. 80×50×70 cm; a pair 100×50×80 cm (very active, climbs).

Schreiber's green lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C (basking spot), at night 15–18 °C.

Schreiber's green lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5) plus a basking spot.

Schreiber's green lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Schreiber's green lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

15–18 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

60–80 % (humid mountain stream biotope)

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 3–5) plus a basking spot

Enclosure

Minimum size

one animal from approx. 80×50×70 cm; a pair 100×50×80 cm (very active, climbs)

Substrate

A soil, sand and gravel mix with damp areas, green plants and roots; a stream or a large water dish

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, locusts, roaches, wax moths), occasionally berries; calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length up to ~40 cm (SVL ~12 cm)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The north-western Iberian Peninsula (northern Portugal, north-western Spain), humid, cool water and mountain habitats

Protection status

Habitats Directive Annexes II and IV → strictly protected in Germany; proof of origin and registration with the nature conservation authority are required.

Brumation

A winter rest of 2–3 months at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

A pair (1.1) is the most natural option - according to Wikipedia males and females mostly live in pairs during the breeding season; a harem (one male with several females) also works in a large, structured enclosure with sight barriers, but never two males together.

Notes

A species fond of cool, humid conditions that tolerates no permanent heat – cool zones (water, planting) matter. A common mistake: too dry or too warm. The figures are cross-checked against several keeper sources.

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Related species

• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) – Intermediate
• Caspian green lizard (Lacerta strigata) – Intermediate
• Caucasian green lizard (Lacerta media) – Intermediate
• Eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis) – Intermediate
• European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) – Intermediate
• Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (one animal from approx. 80×50×70 cm; a pair 100×50×80 cm (very active, climbs)), substrate (A soil, sand and gravel mix with damp areas, green plants and roots; a stream or a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.