Boulenger's Pricklenape (Acanthosaura crucigera)
| Boulenger's Pricklenape Acanthosaura crucigera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Boulenger's Pricklenape |
| Name Lat. | Acanthosaura crucigera |
| Family | Agamas |
| Family lat. | Agamidae |
| Order | Scaled Reptiles |
| Order lat. | Squamata |
| Origin | Southeast Asia |
| Habitat | Mountain rainforests |
| Diet | Live insects |
| Humidity | 80-90 % |
| Behavior | ♂ territorial |
| Keeping | Individual, pair, harem |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Reproduction | Oviparous |
| Housing | Humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 8-10 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 25 cm |
| Temperature | 20-25 °C |
| Temperature Local | 28 °C |
| Housing Size | 100 x 60 x 80 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 9.8" |
| Temperature | 68-77 °F |
| Temperature Local | 82 °F |
| Housing Size | 40" x 25" x 30" |
Distribution and habitat
The diurnal Brown Necked Spinebill lives in the rainforests and montane forests of Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, as well as northern Malaysia, at elevations of 1,300-1,800 m on shrubs and trees, usually near streams.
Maintenance
Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals
| 1-2 animals | 5KRL x 3KRL x 4KRL (L x W x H) |
Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of L 100 x W 60 x H 80 cm for 1-2 animals is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.
You need a rainforest terrarium with strong, vertical and horizontal climbing branches, structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering), a substrate of forest soil-peat mixture as well as many plants (ficus, ferns, mosses, epiphytes etc.). In addition, a large water section (about 5 cm deep) with clean (moving) water for drinking and bathing. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity). A rain or mist system is ideal
| Temp. day: 20-25 °C | Temp. night: 18-20 °C | Temp. local: up to 28 °C | Humidity: 80-90 |
The lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. Special lamps with high UV-A and UV-B content are ideal, because daily UV irradiation is essential.
Diet
They are not very picky and eat crickets, house crickets, small grasshoppers, zophobas and mealybug larvae, but also spiders, cockroaches, slugs, earthworms and small fish. Alternatively, special ready-made food for insectivores can be offered. Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (e.g. by dusting the feeders) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Drinking water is only accepted as flowing or dripping water (no standing water).
A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
The adult male has a thickened caudal root with a distinct hemipenis pouch.
The female buries her eggs (6-12 pieces) in the substrate, which must accordingly consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is about 200 days at a temperature of 25 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.
The life expectancy can be 8-10 years.
Important
Adult animals behave territorially and there may be incompatibilities among themselves
They absolutely need moving water (filter, air pump with outflow stone, etc.), otherwise it will not be recognized as water
Besides sunny places, shady, cooler places are also necessary
For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours and the temperature is lowered by 3-4 °C for approx. two months, depending on the origin of the animals.
With fruit and honey water as food for the feeders, their quality can be upgraded.
The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; Image: Alex Rinesch
Source: BMELV (1997): Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF