Sunwatcher toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus helioscopus)

Short answers

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

80×40×40 cm for a group.

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

Daytime 26–33 °C, basking spot Basking spot 42–48 °C, at night 12–17 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 12.0).

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

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–33 °C

Night temperature

12–17 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 42–48 °C

Humidity

25–40 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 12.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm for a group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in

Feeding

Food

Crickets, locusts, roaches and house crickets, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–13 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

Central Asia

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 4–10 °C

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs (1.2); never house males together. 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 small steppe species. It needs a cold winter rest, otherwise it dies after a season.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) – Expert
• Secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) – Expert
• Persian toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus persicus) – Intermediate
• Spotted toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus guttatus) – Intermediate
• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate
• Eastern water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) – Intermediate
• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Sunwatcher toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus helioscopus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm for a group), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.