Thin tree iguana (Liolaemus tenuis)

Short answers

Thin tree iguana: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×60×100 cm for a pair.

Thin tree iguana: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot Basking spot 32–36 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Thin tree iguana: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Thin tree iguana: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Thin tree iguana: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 32–36 °C

Humidity

45–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×60×100 cm for a pair

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with climbing branches; for the dry-country species sand-loam with stones

Feeding

Food

Crickets, roaches, locusts and house crickets; the larger species also take plant food

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

Central Chile

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler in winter

Cohabitation

Keep as a pair or one male with an extra female (1.2) in a sufficiently large, well-structured terrarium; two males do not get on, as aggressive behaviour between them is documented.

Notes

A colourful male. It comes from a temperate climate and needs a genuine cool resting phase — not a tropical animal.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Bibron's tree iguana (Liolaemus bibronii) – Intermediate
• Painted tree iguana (Liolaemus pictus) – Intermediate
• Chilean tree iguana (Liolaemus chiliensis) – Intermediate
• Shiny tree iguana (Liolaemus nitidus) – Intermediate
• Sand tree iguana (Liolaemus wiegmannii) – Intermediate
• Barahona curly-tailed lizard (Leiocephalus barahonensis) – Intermediate
• Blue tree iguana (Uracentron azureum) – Expert
• Thick-tailed whorltail iguana (Stenocercus crassicaudatus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Thin tree iguana (Liolaemus tenuis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×60×100 cm for a pair), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with climbing branches; for the dry-country species sand-loam with stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.