Short-legged false garden lizard (Pseudocalotes brevipes)

Short answers

Short-legged false garden lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×40×60 cm (at least ~75×30×30 cm; arboreal, height matters).

Short-legged false garden lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C, basking spot 28–30 °C (mild warm spot; cool end ~18 °C), at night 16–20 °C.

Short-legged false garden lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (a separate UVB lamp in addition to the heat emitter; Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4).

Short-legged false garden lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–10 years.

Short-legged false garden lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

28–30 °C (mild warm spot; cool end ~18 °C)

Humidity

70–95 %

UVB

UVB needed (a separate UVB lamp in addition to the heat emitter; Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×40×60 cm (at least ~75×30×30 cm; arboreal, height matters)

Substrate

Sphagnum or coco fibre, or a tropical mix, moisture-retaining

Feeding

Food

Live insects (crickets, house crickets, roach nymphs, wax or mealworms), as much as is eaten in about 10 minutes

Feeding interval

juveniles and adults daily to every other day; calcium daily, vitamins weekly

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 18–25 cm including the tail (7–10 inches)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–10 years

Origin

Vietnam and southern China; montane forest

Protection status

No CITES; observe the national rules of the countries of origin

Brumation

A slight cool rest period is possible depending on the altitude

Cohabitation

Keep them singly, or as a pair (1.1) of the same size; never two males together; two females usually get on

Notes

A good climber and jumper; mist 1–2 times a day including the decor and foliage. Note: "plant" and "aquarium" lamps are NOT UVB lamps. A cool, humid climate; avoid heat.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Small-scaled false garden lizard (Pseudocalotes microlepis) – Expert
• Oriental garden lizard (Calotes versicolor) – Intermediate
• Spotted butterfly lizard (Leiolepis guttata) – Intermediate
• Painted dragon (Ctenophorus pictus) – Intermediate
• Common flying dragon (Draco volans) – Expert
• Green crested lizard (Bronchocela cristatella) – Intermediate
• Himalayan agama (Paralaudakia himalayana) – Intermediate
• Horsfield's salea (Salea horsfieldii) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Short-legged false garden lizard (Pseudocalotes brevipes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×60 cm (at least ~75×30×30 cm; arboreal, height matters)), substrate (Sphagnum or coco fibre, or a tropical mix, moisture-retaining), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.