Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor)

Short answers

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

80×40×50 cm for a pair (with 15–20 cm of sand, otherwise there's no headroom left for a basking spot and temperature gradient).

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

Daytime 30–36 °C, basking spot 48 °C, at night 14–19 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

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

Life expectancy: 5–8 years.

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

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

30–36 °C

Night temperature

14–19 °C

Basking spot

48 °C

Humidity

20–35 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×50 cm for a pair (with 15–20 cm of sand, otherwise there's no headroom left for a basking spot and temperature gradient)

Substrate

Fine sand with a gravel content (15–20 cm), flat stones

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, ants

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–14 cm total length

Life expectancy

5–8 years

Origin

Mongolia, north-western China – the Gobi

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 12–16 weeks at 3–8 °C

Cohabitation

Pair. Two males do not go together — they fight over territory and basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner. One male with several females is possible, but females also defend their burrows against each other; this only works with plenty of space and a burrow for each animal. Several basking and hiding spots are important so that lower-ranking animals can get out of the way, and feed separately as soon as the animals differ in size.

Notes

A small desert agama that communicates with a rolling tail signal. An extreme day-night range and a cold, long winter rest are essential – without them, keeping it does not succeed long term.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Secret toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus mystaceus) – Expert
• Sunwatcher toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus helioscopus) – Intermediate
• Persian toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus persicus) – Intermediate
• Spotted toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus guttatus) – Intermediate
• Blue-headed tree agama (Acanthocercus atricollis) – Intermediate
• Common agama – red-headed (Agama agama) – Intermediate
• Common butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana) – Intermediate
• Large-eared rock agama (Paralaudakia nupta) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Variegated toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus versicolor) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×50 cm for a pair (with 15–20 cm of sand, otherwise there's no headroom left for a basking spot and temperature gradient)), substrate (Fine sand with a gravel content (15–20 cm), flat 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.