Mountain Horned Lizard/Dragon Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

 Approximately 15 years

AVERAGE SIZE

 10-15 inches depending on gender.

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Mountain Horned Lizards are generally docile and intelligent lizards that will tolerate some handling when tamed. They may be aggressive to one another, and care must be taken to introduce cage mates slowly and with apprehension. There is no guarantee they will get along well. Mountain Horned Lizards can be very lethargic and lazy.

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Day Temps: Around 78°F

Basking Temps: Not required, but 85°F is beneficial

Night Temps: 72°F 

HUMIDITY

70-75% humidity levels 

FEEDING

Mountain Horned Lizards are completely insectivorous and require a variety of different live foods. Mountain Horned Lizards should be offered insects 6-7 days a week. 

PROTEIN

Protein sources such as: gut-loaded crickets, mealworms, cockroaches, superworms, waxworms, and frozen pinky mice dusted with a supplement should also be part of the diet.   

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust food with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile’s food should be dusted more often than an adults. 

WATER

All water given to lizards for bathing, swimming or drinking, as well as water used for misting must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. Fresh water for soaking and drinking should be offered daily. Mountain Horned Lizards don’t seem to recognize standing water as water, so the water source must be “moving.” This can be accomplished by using a dripper or bubbler.

ENCLOSURE SIZE

Mountain Horned Lizards are an arboreal rainforest species. They will usually choose the highest branch in the cage to perch on, so a very tall cage height is imperative. Cage size should be 3-4 feet long x 1-2 feet wide x 4-6 feet high. Solid sides like glass or plexiglass are recommended to keep humidity at appropriate levels. 

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a loose coconut fiber substrate or forest floor mulch substrate for your Mountain Horned Lizard. 

BRANCHES & PLANTS

Dragons love to climb. Choose branches that your dragon can climb on safely and lie on comfortably. Sand blasted grape vine branches are available and serve as good sturdy climbing branches. Remember that Mountain Horned Lizards are rainforest species and will appreciate a heavy plant cover. Live plants can help increase the humidity in your dragon enclosure. Be sure to include only lizard safe plants.

UVB LIGHT

Mountain Horned Lizards MUST be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is CRITICAL in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium.

DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

All lizards must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Mountain Horned Lizards need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month. 

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 3’L x 1’W x 4’H terrarium with secure mesh top at minimum
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• UVB light & housing
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Coconut fiber or forest floor mulch bedding
• Numerous wood perches, vines, & live or artificial plants (reptile-safe)
• Water dripper
• Large water bowl – big enough to soak in
• Live food
• Calcium & vitamin supplements
• Water dechlorinate drops
• Spray bottle for misting

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.