This lizard is mainly a ground-dwelling species that can be found in Spain, Portugal, southern France and northwestern Italy and the northwestern parts of Africa.
In the wild it is living in sunny, rocky and bushy slopes or stone walls. It is one of the largest species in Europe, up to 80cm´s including the tail (body 1/3 and tail 2/3 of total length). It is a heavily built and strong animal. The colour is green, brown or a mixture between those colours. The young animals (juveniles), colour are yellowish brown to green, with ”eyes”/spots. Both sexes have as adults blue spots (Jewels/Eyes), but the males have
often more spots that are brighter in colouration. The head of the male is bigger than the females. Males have clearly visible Feromalpores.
The terrarium:
• For a pair (2 adult individuals) a terrarium that measures L=120cm´s, D=80 cm´s, H=60cm´s is appropriate.
• Sand is a good substrate, 5-15 cm´s thick layer.
• The temperature should be between 24-27 ºC, with a baskingspot that keeps a temperature of 30-35ºC. Spray the terrarium every 2-3 day in the evenings(60-70% humidity), a little extra when the animal/s is shedding.
• Uv-B is necessary for the species.
• Big stones and roots/branches make good interior. Provide the animal/s with a lot of hiding places. Make the interior as a steppenvironment.
Diet:
• In the wild the species consumes insects, snails/slugs, new hatched birds, small rodents and some sweet fruit. In captivity it eats almost anything that is served.
Pinkie-mice, cockroaches, snails/slugs, bushcrickets, crickets, small pieces of
non-fat meat and some sweet fruit such as: Banana, Apricot and Strawberries.
They will also eat egg.
• Dust all food with a vitamin and calcium supplement.
Water:
• Allways provide a waterbowl with fresh drinkingwater.
Breeding:
This species require a hibernationperiod of 2-3 months, with temperatures from+4ºC to +7ºC.• Mating will occur about 1-3 weeks after the hibernation is over and the temperaturesin the terrarium is back to normal. About 1 week before depositing of the eggs, the female will be acting restless,with a lot of digging and searching in the terrarium. She might stop eating as well.Provide the female with a egg-layingbox, filled to 2/3 with moisted Vermiculite® ormoisted peat/soil (unfetilized). IMPORTANT! Vermiculite®, should be moisted in aratio of 1:1. By weight, not by volume! The clutchsize will be 8-20 eggs and should be incubated in 28ºC – 30ºC in a humidityof 80% – 90%, with a nigt-temperature about 24ºC – 25ºC. The young lizardsshould hatch in 85 – 120 days, with theese temperatures. 1 – 3 clutches are laid inone season.• Juveniles are about 5 cm´s when hatched (tail included), and should be fed withthe same food as the adults (1 – 3 times a week), but smaller in size. Dust all foodwith a vitamin and calcium supplement. Do not overfeed! The young lizards will reach sexual maturity in about 2-3 years.
Hygiene:
The terrarium should be kept clean. Excrements, urine and leftover food should beremoved as it appears. Clean the terrarium and everything inside it carefully 1-2times/year, exchange the substrate at the same time. Allways wash your handsafter holding the animal or after you have been doing something in the terrarium.
Good luck with your animal!
This caresheet is available on the Terrarium Morbidum site, as a free downloadable pdf-file.
