Secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus)

Short answers

Secret toad-headed agama: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×40 cm.

Secret toad-headed agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–38 °C, basking spot 50 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Secret toad-headed agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Secret toad-headed agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Secret toad-headed agama: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–38 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

50 °C

Humidity

20–35 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×40 cm

Substrate

Very deep, fine drift sand (20–30 cm), a few twigs

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, ants, beetles

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–24 cm total length

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Central Asia – sand dunes

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 5–10 °C

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs; males kept strictly apart. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on but each needs its own warm spot and hide; feed separately once they differ in size.

Notes

A spectacular threat display with unfolding mouth-corner flaps. A pure wind-blown-sand species: it shimmies sideways into the sand – deep, fine sand is essential. It needs extreme heat by day and a genuine, cold winter rest.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Sunwatcher toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus helioscopus) – Intermediate
• Persian toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus persicus) – Intermediate
• Spotted toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus guttatus) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) – Intermediate
• Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×40 cm), substrate (Very deep, fine drift sand (20–30 cm), a few 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.