Yarrow's spiny lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii)

Short answers

Yarrow's spiny lizard: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×60 cm.

Yarrow's spiny lizard: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 14–18 °C.

Yarrow's spiny lizard: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Yarrow's spiny lizard: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Yarrow's spiny lizard: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

14–18 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with rock crevices

Feeding

Food

Insects

Feeding interval

adults 4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–22 cm

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Arizona, New Mexico, northern Mexico – uplands

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with one or two females (1,2) is also possible if every animal gets its own basking spot and hide, and animals of different sizes are fed separately. Two males do not get on: seasonal male territoriality is documented for the species.

Notes

A montane species with a distinct winter rest. Live-bearing; the young arrive in spring.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Yarrow's spiny lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Bunch-grass lizard (Sceloporus mucronatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus cyanogenys) – Intermediate
• Clark's spiny lizard (Sceloporus clarkii) – Beginner
• Eastern spiny lizard (Sceloporus spinosus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Crevice spiny lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii) – Beginner
• Fire-headed spiny lizard (Sceloporus pyrocephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Florida scrub lizard (Sceloporus woodi) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue spiny lizard (Sceloporus serrifer) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yarrow's spiny lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with 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.