Tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum)

Short answers

Tropical girdled lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×50 cm.

Tropical girdled lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–31 °C, basking spot 38 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Tropical girdled lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

Tropical girdled lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Tropical girdled lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–31 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

38 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with pieces of bark and rock crevices

Feeding

Food

Insects

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–18 cm

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique)

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A pair or a small group of 1.2. 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 them separately once they differ in size.

Notes

Less demanding than the armadillo girdled lizard and markedly more common. It lives in bark crevices – narrow hiding places matter more than floor area.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Jones' girdled lizard (Cordylus jonesii) – Beginner
• Cape girdled lizard (Cordylus cordylus) – Intermediate
• Large-scaled girdled lizard (Cordylus macropholis) – Intermediate
• Dwarf girdled lizard (Cordylus minor) – Intermediate
• Oelofsen's girdled lizard (Cordylus oelofseni) – Intermediate
• Black girdled lizard (Cordylus niger) – Intermediate
• Transvaal girdled lizard (Cordylus vittifer) – Intermediate
• Arid girdled lizard (Cordylus aridus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tropical girdled lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with pieces of bark and rock crevices), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.