Green Keeled Lizard Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

10-15 years

AVERAGE SIZE

10-16 inches long

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Green Keeled Lizards are diurnal. They are inquisitive, active lizards that prefer not to be handled. Some lizards can be kept successfully in pairs, however aggression can occur in different degrees in any lizard, so some may need to be housed alone.

CAGE TEMPERATURE

Daytime: 72°-80° F

Nighttime: Not to drop below 68°F

Basking: 90°-95° F

HUMIDITY

60-70% humidity levels 

FEEDING

Green Keeled Lizards are insectivores and require a variety of different live feeder insects in their diet. Food should be offered daily. Offer foods such as gut-loaded crickets, mealworms, roaches, superworms, wax worms and hornworms.

SUPPLEMENTS

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

WATER

A bowl of fresh chlorine-free water must always be available and changed daily. 

BRANCHES & PLANTS

A Green Keeled Lizard should be provided with many branches, vines and plants to climb and perch on. Adding live plants and a dripper or fog system to your enclosure will help maintain the high humidity these lizards require.

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A single Green Keeled Lizard requires a terrarium at least 18 x 18 x 24 inches in size. Vertical space is most important when choosing your terrarium. Ensure your enclosure has a secure mesh lid.

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a loose coconut fiber or mulch bedding. 

UVB LIGHT

Green Keeled 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. Green Keeled Lizards need 8-12 hours of daytime and 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 couple of months.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 18”L x 18”W x 24”H (or larger) terrarium with secure mesh top
• Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
• Fluorescent UVB Bulb & housing
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Mulch or coconut fiber substrate
• Multiple live or artificial plants, small branches, wood perches & vines to climb & hide in (reptile-safe)
• Dripper or fog system
• Water bowl
• Food dish
• Live food
• Water dechlorinate drops
• Spray bottle

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.