Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata)

Short answers

Western green lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×80 cm for a pair (a large, active species; an outdoor enclosure is ideal).

Western green lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot up to ~40 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Western green lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4; e.g. a T5 or metal-halide lamp with UVA/UVB).

Western green lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 10–15 years in captivity.

Western green lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

up to ~40 °C

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–4; e.g. a T5 or metal-halide lamp with UVA/UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×80 cm for a pair (a large, active species; an outdoor enclosure is ideal)

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with stones, roots, cork, dense grass structures and hides

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, locusts, wax moths and their larvae, roaches, worms), occasionally fruit, rarely small vertebrates

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

up to ~40 cm total length (SVL ~13 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 10–15 years in captivity

Origin

South-western Europe: France, Italy, northern Spain, Switzerland, south-western Germany; sunny banks and maquis

Protection status

Strictly protected (Habitats Directive Annex IV, German nature conservation law), native to south-western Germany; only documented captive-bred animals, registration required

Brumation

A winter rest is needed: 2–3 months at 8–10 °C

Cohabitation

A pair is the least stressful option; a harem (one male with 3-4 females) also works in a large, well-structured enclosure with sight barriers - but never two males together, which according to Wikipedia leads to fierce, bloody fights.

Notes

A large, magnificent green lizard (the male has a blue throat in the mating season). It needs plenty of space, strong warmth and UV zones and a genuine winter rest. Common mistakes: too small an enclosure, and males kept together.

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Related species

• Pamphylian green lizard (Lacerta pamphylica) – Intermediate
• Balkan green lizard (Lacerta trilineata) – Intermediate
• Schreiber's green lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) – Intermediate
• Caspian green lizard (Lacerta strigata) – Intermediate
• Caucasian green lizard (Lacerta media) – Intermediate
• Eastern green lizard (Lacerta viridis viridis) – Intermediate
• European green lizard (Lacerta viridis) – Beginner to intermediate
• Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Western green lizard (Lacerta bilineata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×80 cm for a pair (a large, active species; an outdoor enclosure is ideal)), substrate (A sand-loam mix with stones, roots, cork, dense grass structures and hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.