Splendid Mountain Lizard (Diploderma splendidum)

Splendid Mountain Lizard Diploderma splendidum
Name	Splendid Mountain Lizard
Name Lat.	Diploderma splendidum
Synonym	Japalura splendida
Family	Agamas
Family lat.	Agamidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	China, Tibet
Habitat	Mountain rainforests
Diet	Insects
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	♂ territorial
Keeping	Pair, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Humid terrarium
Life Span	10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	30 cm
Temperature	22-25 °C
Temperature Local	30 °C
Housing Size	80 x 60 x 100 cm
US Units
Size	12"
Temperature	72-77 °F
Temperature Local	86 °F
Housing Size	30" x 25" x 40"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal, arboreal Chinese mountain dragons live in the mountain rainforests of southwestern provinces of China (Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Gansu, Henan) and southeastern Tibet. They usually stay near bodies of water.

Maintenance

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

1-2 animals

5KRL x 4KRL x 5KRL (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 80 x W 60 x H 100 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

You need a humid 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, shallow water bowl with clean (moving) water for bathing as well as a dripper. Several times a day the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better

Temp. day: 22-25 °C

Temp. night: 18-20 °C

Temp. local: up to 30 °C

Humidity: 60-80

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

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, earthworms, centipedes, zophobas larvae. 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 (dusting of feed) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available, but is preferably taken in drop form from leaves or furnishings

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 (5-7 pieces) in the substrate, which must accordingly consist of a substrate suitable for burrowing. The incubation period is about 80 days at a temperature of about 25 °C. Small insects such as fruit flies and micro creepers are suitable as initial food for the young

The life expectancy can be over 10 years

Important

Adult males behave territorially and there may be incompatibilities among themselves. Besides sunny places, shady, cooler places are necessary as well as a night setback to room temperature

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: petdata

Source: BMELV Deutschland (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