Southern rock agama (Agama atra)

Short answers

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

100×50×70 cm.

Southern rock agama: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–33 °C, basking spot 42 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Southern rock agama: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Southern rock agama: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Southern rock agama: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–33 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

42 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, stacked stone slabs, a few plants

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–25 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

South Africa, Namibia – rocky areas

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

A harem with one male and two females (1.2); males must be kept strictly apart. Reason: Agama atra lives in small colonies with a dominant male, but two males will not tolerate each other and fight over the best lookout spot. Females and juveniles generally get along well in the colony.

Notes

From cooler altitudes than most agamas – a marked night drop and a winter resting phase matter. The males turn deep blue for courtship.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Kirk's rock agama (Agama kirkii) – Intermediate
• Namibian rock agama (Agama planiceps) – Intermediate
• Red-headed rock agama (Agama agama lionotus) – Intermediate
• Mwanza flat-headed rock agama (Agama mwanzae) – Intermediate
• West African rainbow agama (Agama picticauda) – Intermediate
• Bibron's agama (Agama impalearis) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Southern rock agama (Agama atra) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, stacked stone slabs, a few plants), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.