Desert Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus magister)

Desert Spiny Lizard Sceloporus magister
Name	Desert Spiny Lizard
Name Lat.	Sceloporus magister
Family	Phrynosomatid Lizards
Family lat.	Phrynosomatidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	SW-USA, NW-Mexico
Habitat	Desert, semi-desert
Diet	Insects
Humidity	50-70 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Semi-humid terrarium
Life Span	5-7 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	30 cm
Temperature	25-32 °C
Temperature Local	45 °C
Housing Size	100 x 80 x 80 cm
US Units
Size	12"
Temperature	77-90 °F
Temperature Local	113 °F
Housing Size	40" x 30" x 30"

Distribution and habitat

Diurnal desert spiny iguanas are widespread in the southwestern United States (California, Nevada, New Mexico) and northwestern Mexico, where they live in the deserts and semi-deserts and thorn scrub forests.

Maintenance

Recommended minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

5KRL x 4KRL 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 e.g. L 100 x W 80 x H 80 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

They need a terrarium structured with climbing branches, stone structures (hiding places and privacy screens) and sunning areas, a graveable substrate of sand/clay mixture and rubble, a small water container as well as potted plants (e.g. euphorbia, aloe, oleander). Important are back and side walls suitable for climbing (e.g. cork lining). A small part of the substrate should always be kept moist. Once or twice a week, preferably in the evening, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water, but not directly the animals (risk of shock).

Temp. day: 25-32 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Temp. local: up to 45 °C

Humidity: 50-70

Thermostatically controlled floor heating is recommended. Lighting duration must be 10-14 hrs depending on the season. They need a high light intensity. Special lamps that produce the necessary heat and UV light are ideal. Daily UV irradiation is essential.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, millipedes, spiders, zophobas and mealybug larvae, as well as, depending on the individual, vegetables (wild herbs, flowers, fruits). Alternatively, special ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles can be offered, possibly with tweezers for habituation. Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts because of their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (dusting the food) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available

A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males usually have a broader head and a thicker tail root, where the hemipenis pockets are clearly visible. The female lays 4-19 eggs. The young hatch at about 28 °C after 60-70 days. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro crickets are suitable as initial food for the young.

Important

They need up to 45 °C warm sunny places and a strong temperature reduction at night (room temperature). For the resting phase, the lighting duration is reduced by 2-3 hours for approx. two months and the temperature is lowered to 10-15 °C.

The quality of the food animals can be upgraded by giving fruit and honey water as food.

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: petdata

Source: BMELV Deutschland (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - 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