Gia Lai Pricklenape (Acanthosaura nataliae)

Gia Lai Pricklenape Acanthosaura nataliae
Name	Gia Lai Pricklenape
Name Lat.	Acanthosaura nataliae
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 Natalia's hackle lives widely in the tropical rainforests and montane forests of central Vietnam and southern Laos on bushes 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 e.g. 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: Franz Lowak

Source: BMELV (1997): Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; MANTHEY u. SCHUSTER (1999): Agamen, Natur und Tier-Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF