Green Keel-bellied Lizard
Gastropholis prasina
A stunning, bright green African arboreal lizard featuring a long prehensile tail. It requires tall, densely planted enclosures and consistent humidity levels.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
65 - 85 %
Température diurne
25 - 28 °C
Température ambiante
26 °C
Température nocturne
20 °C
Point de repos chauffant
32 - 35 °C
Taille adulte
40 cm
Enclos minimal
>= 150 L
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the humid coastal forests and woodlands of East Africa, primarily Kenya and Tanzania. It lives high in the canopy, perfectly camouflaged among dense green foliage.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Lacertidae and the genus Gastropholis. Highly specialized genetic lineage for arboreal environments, marked by physiological adaptations for climbing and prehensile tail function.
Behavior and Habits: Diurnal, highly active, and exceptionally agile. It uses its prehensile tail as a stabilizer and anchor while leaping between branches. It is curious and can become moderately confident around keepers.
Morphology: Slender and elongated body of a uniform, vibrant emerald-green color. Reaches up to 40-50 cm in total length, with the prehensile tail comprising over two-thirds of this length. Ventral scales are keeled to enhance traction on bark.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 60x45x90 cm). Furnish heavily with live plants (Pothos, Ficus), thin climbing branches, bamboo poles, and cork bark tiles. Use a moisture-retaining soil-moss substrate.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a basking spot of 32-35°C (90-95°F), ambient daytime temperatures of 25-28°C (77-82°F), and a night drop to 20°C (68°F). Moderate 5-6% UVB lighting is required.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep humidity high (70-80%). Mist the enclosure once or twice daily, as these lizards prefer drinking water droplets off leaves and enclosure walls rather than from a bowl.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Diet should consist of crickets, roaches, silkworms, and flies. Dust prey insects with calcium and Vitamin D3 twice a week, and a multivitamin supplement once a week.
Compatibility: Can be housed in pairs (one male, one female) or small harems in larger enclosures. Never house multiple males together, as they will fight and stress each other.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly prone to dehydration if humidity levels drop. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) can occur without adequate calcium/UVB. Handle gently to avoid tail injuries; never grab the lizard by its tail.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Native to the humid coastal forests and woodlands of East Africa, primarily Kenya and Tanzania. It lives high in the canopy, perfectly camouflaged among dense green foliage.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de reptile
- Régime alimentaire
- Insectivore
- This species is strictly insectivorous and relies on a varied diet of live insects. Offer appropriately sized crickets, dubia roaches, and mealworms to ensure proper nutrition. All feeder insects should be gut-loaded and regularly dusted with calcium and multivitamin supplements.
- Taille adulte
- 40 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- As an arboreal species, this reptile spends nearly all its life elevated in trees and shrubs. The terrarium must be vertically oriented with plenty of sturdy branches, vines, and elevated hides. Proper climbing structures are essential for their physical and mental well-being.
- Cycle d'activité
- Diurnal
- This species is strictly diurnal, meaning it is highly active during the daylight hours. It requires intense full-spectrum UVB lighting and a proper basking spot to regulate its metabolism. During the night, it will retreat to a secure hide to sleep in complete darkness.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- This species tends to be skittish and fast-moving, often relying on flight to escape perceived threats. They generally prefer to be left alone and can become easily stressed by sudden movements. It is best to appreciate their active behaviors from a distance as a display animal.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- This species reproduces by laying eggs, which require specific conditions to hatch successfully. Females will seek out a suitable nesting site with moist substrate to deposit their clutch. Eggs must be carefully removed and incubated at the correct temperature and humidity levels.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- Due to their fragile nature and fast speed, handling should be kept to an absolute minimum. They are best treated as display animals, as handling can cause severe stress or physical injury. If movement is necessary, coaxing them into a container is the safest method.
- Brumation
- This tropical species does not undergo true brumation and requires consistent temperatures year-round. While they may show a slight decrease in activity during winter, their enclosure parameters should not be drastically altered. Heating and lighting must be maintained at standard levels to ensure their health.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Like most lizards, this species sheds its skin in patches rather than in one continuous piece. Maintaining proper humidity levels and providing a humid hide are crucial to prevent stuck shed. Keepers should monitor the toes and tail tip closely to ensure all old skin is successfully removed.
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