Turquoise pricklenape (Acanthosaura cf. crucigera "Türkis")

Short answers

Turquoise pricklenape: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length).

Turquoise pricklenape: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–27 °C, basking spot local warm spot up to 30 °C (sensitive to heat, keep the enclosure below 30 °C), at night 18–21 °C.

Turquoise pricklenape: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; a 6 % T5 tube).

Turquoise pricklenape: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–10 years.

Turquoise pricklenape: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–27 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

local warm spot up to 30 °C (sensitive to heat, keep the enclosure below 30 °C)

Humidity

70–80 % by day, up to 90–100 % at night

UVB

UVB recommended (a forest dweller, Ferguson zone 1–2, UV index 1–3; a 6 % T5 tube)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, plus a drainage layer

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous: earthworms (preferred), crickets, house crickets, roaches, larvae; dusted with calcium and D3

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily to every other day

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 22–25 cm total length (as in A. crucigera)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–10 years

Origin

A trade form ("turquoise") from the A. crucigera complex, probably Thailand or Vietnam; taxonomically uncertain (cf.)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES (as far as research shows); often wild-caught – look for captive breeding and proof of origin

Brumation

A slightly cooler rest period of 4–8 weeks is advisable (as for A. crucigera)

Cohabitation

Single housing. The lower-stress option is one animal per enclosure, as there is no evidence that pricklenapes need company. Pairs or small groups work according to care sheets as long as several males are never kept together; the drawback is that the enclosure must then be proportionally larger and stress between the animals is hard to spot.

Notes

Not a valid taxon of its own but a turquoise trade or local form from the crucigera complex (hence "cf."). Care is as for A. crucigera. Its identity and exact origin are uncertain.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Turquoise pricklenape (Acanthosaura cf. crucigera "Türkis") in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bintang mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura bintangensis) – Intermediate
• Short-legged horned lizard (Acanthosaura brachypoda) – Intermediate
• Brown pricklenape (Acanthosaura lepidogaster) – Intermediate
• Cardamom mountain horned lizard (Acanthosaura cardamomensis) – Intermediate
• Crowned pricklenape (Acanthosaura coronata) – Intermediate
• Golden pricklenape (Acanthosaura capra) – Intermediate
• Masked spiny lizard (Acanthosaura crucigera) – Intermediate
• Natalia's pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Turquoise pricklenape (Acanthosaura cf. crucigera "Türkis") you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×60×100 cm for one adult animal (arboreal, height over length)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor with leaf litter and moss, plus a drainage layer), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.