Spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus)

Short answers

Spiny-footed lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

One animal from approx. 80×50×50 cm; a pair or harem from 120×60×60 cm (a dry enclosure).

Spiny-footed lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 30–35 °C, cooler corner 20–25 °C, basking spot 38–42 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Spiny-footed lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential (a desert species, Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6); a powerful UVA/UVB lamp plus a basking spot.

Spiny-footed lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Spiny-footed lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–35 °C, cooler corner 20–25 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

38–42 °C

Humidity

40–50 % by day, 70–80 % at night

UVB

UVB is essential (a desert species, Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6); a powerful UVA/UVB lamp plus a basking spot

Enclosure

Minimum size

one animal from approx. 80×50×50 cm; a pair or harem from 120×60×60 cm (a dry enclosure)

Substrate

Deep sand they can dig in (at least 8–15 cm), flat stones, roots and bark as hides

Feeding

Food

Insects: house crickets, small locusts, flies, spiders, roaches, wax moth larvae; dusted with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

total length 20–23 cm (SVL 7–8 cm)

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal) and north-western Africa; dry, sandy habitats

Protection status

An EU/Mediterranean species; Bern Convention (Appendix III). Buy only legal captive-bred animals and keep proof of origin and legality; no CITES.

Brumation

A winter rest of about 8 weeks: 15–20 °C by day, 10–12 °C at night, ~8 h of light

Cohabitation

Keep as a pair (1.1) for the least stress; one male with 2-3 females (1.2 or 1.3) also works in a large, well-structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together. The genus Acanthodactylus is known as markedly aggressive, with rivals continually fighting over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently driven off; females usually get along but need their own warm spots and hides.

Notes

A sand-dwelling runner with a high warmth and UV requirement and deep digging substrate – not one for beginners. Common mistakes: too damp, too cool, too little sand depth, and no winter rest. The figures are confirmed across several specialist care sheets.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Bosk's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus) – Intermediate
• Dumeril's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus dumerilii) – Intermediate
• Spotted fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus maculatus) – Intermediate
• Golden fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus aureus) – Intermediate
• Long-footed fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus longipes) – Intermediate
• Leopard fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus pardalis) – Intermediate
• Schreiber's fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus schreiberi) – Intermediate
• Nidua fringe-fingered lizard (Acanthodactylus scutellatus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Spiny-footed lizard (Acanthodactylus erythrurus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (one animal from approx. 80×50×50 cm; a pair or harem from 120×60×60 cm (a dry enclosure)), substrate (Deep sand they can dig in (at least 8–15 cm), flat stones, roots and bark as hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.