Lizards on Herpeton Academy

Basiliscus plumifrons — Fact Sheet

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Basiliscus plumifrons · Basiliscus plumifrons

📋 At a glance


Adult size	60-90 cm
Lifespan	7-12 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	See the full care guide for distribution details.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Advanced
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Use the enclosure dimensions, heating, humidity, and safety values from the structured care profile and full care guide.

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 35-38 °C
Warm zone: 26-30 °C
Cool zone: 24-26 °C
Night: 20-24 °C

🪳 Feeding

Feed according to the prey type and schedule in the structured care profile; remove uneaten prey promptly.

🩺 Health — warning signs

Watch for appetite loss, abnormal posture, injury, breathing issues, failed shedding or molting, and sustained weight loss.

Green Iguana — Fact Sheet

Mon, 04 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Iguana iguana · Green Iguana

📋 At a glance


Adult size	120-210 cm
Lifespan	15-25 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	See the full care guide for distribution details.
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Advanced
Legal	CITES: Appendix II; EU: Annex B; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Use the enclosure dimensions, heating, humidity, and safety values from the structured care profile and full care guide.

🌡️ Temperature

Basking spot: 45-50 °C
Warm zone: 24-31 °C
Cool zone: 24-27 °C
Night: 23-28 °C

🪳 Feeding

Feed according to the prey type and schedule in the structured care profile; remove uneaten prey promptly.

🩺 Health — warning signs

Watch for appetite loss, abnormal posture, injury, breathing issues, failed shedding or molting, and sustained weight loss.

Basiliscus plumifrons

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Basiliscus plumifrons is the accepted scientific name for the Green basilisk covered here. Use this Latin name when comparing labels, origin documents, and close relatives, because trade names can overlap.

English common names used in the hobby:

Green basilisk

German common names used in the hobby:

Stirnlappenbasilisk

📌 Description

Basiliscus plumifrons is a non-venomous lizard with care needs shaped by its natural habitat: warm, humid forest edges, riverbanks, and branches above water. Adults are usually around 70-90 cm total length, and a realistic captive lifespan is 8-12 years when housing, diet, and veterinary care are handled well.

Green Iguana

Sun, 03 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Iguana iguana is the currently accepted scientific name. In trade, use the Latin name when checking animals, locality labels, invoices, and legal documents, because common names can overlap between related species.

English common names used in the hobby:

Green Iguana

📌 Description

The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is a large, demanding lizard kept by specialist reptile keepers. Adults usually reach 1.2-1.8 m total length, with exceptional males larger and may live 15-20+ years with stable long-term care.

Ocellated Lizard

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

🔤 Taxonomy

Timon lepidus is the currently accepted scientific name. In older books, conservation documents, and some trade listings it is often found as Lacerta lepida.

Older names and combinations associated with the species include:

Lacerta lepida
Lacerta ocellata

English common names used in the hobby:

Ocellated lizard
Jeweled lacerta
Jewelled lizard

German common names used in the hobby:

Timon lepidus — Fact Sheet

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Timon lepidus

📋 At a glance


Adult size	45-70 cm
Lifespan	15-20 years
Subspecies	No captive-care subspecies split
Origin	Iberian Peninsula, southern and western France, and a small north-western Italian range
Activity	Diurnal
Difficulty	Intermediate
Legal	CITES: not listed; EU: not listed; local rules still apply

🏠 Enclosure

Large horizontal, escape-proof vivarium with strong ventilation
Practical adult minimum: 180 x 60 x 60 cm; larger is strongly preferred
Deep dry soil/sand/clay substrate that allows digging
Keep singly unless there is a controlled breeding plan and spare separation enclosures

🪨 Enclosure furniture

Hot basking platform, cool retreat, and several tight hides
Stable rocks, cork, roots, and low branches for climbing and cover
Damp retreat or humid pocket to support shedding
Heavy decor must be supported securely so digging cannot collapse it

💡 Lighting

Bright visible light and strong UVB are required for normal behaviour and calcium metabolism
Ferguson zone 3-4; aim for UVI 3-5 at basking height, with shaded areas close to zero
Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no visible night light
Use a separate heat source if the basking surface is not warm enough

🌡️ Temperature

Basking surface: 38-45 °C