Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti)

Short answers

Tenerife lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×70 cm.

Tenerife lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Tenerife lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Tenerife lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–15 years.

Tenerife lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

45 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×70 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, lava rock structures, succulents, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, plenty of fruit and leafy greens

Feeding interval

4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–40 cm total length

Life expectancy

10–15 years

Origin

Tenerife, La Palma (the Canary Islands)

Protection status

Protected (Spain) – only captive-bred animals with proof of origin

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping as a harem (1.2) is possible; males kept strictly separate. Several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner. Females usually get along but need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

A powerful island lizard with a high proportion of plants in its diet – fruit and leafy greens are a fixed part of the menu. The male has brilliant blue throat and flank spots.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Atlantic lizard (Gallotia atlantica) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Boettger's lizard (Gallotia caesaris) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) – Intermediate
• El Hierro giant lizard (Gallotia simonyi) – No husbandry possible.
• La Gomera giant lizard (Gallotia bravoana) – No husbandry possible.
• Tenerife speckled lizard (Gallotia intermedia) – No husbandry possible.
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tenerife lizard (Gallotia galloti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×70 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, lava rock structures, succulents, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.