Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i decided to buy a conehead lizard because they look so cool. i looked oneline for info before i got him and only found 1 basic care sheet. i went and brought him/her home and started to look for more info. i cant find anything! i want the best care for my new baby. i would also like to know how big they get and if it is a female or a male. any help would be great. thanks!
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brandy

You might try looking under the scientific name, Laemanctus longipes. This is an arboreal lizard from the rainforests of Central America.

This is a species that does not do too well in captivity, partially because they are a flighty species, partially because they have very specific needs, and partially because all the specimens for sale ARE WILD CAUGHT. A fecal, if you can get one, would be a good idea, to see if there are parasites.

A LARGE wire/screen cage designed for a chameleon - taller than longer - would be a good start. They need high humidity, lots of places to climb and hide. So, branches with lots of potted plants or artificial plants to create dense hiding foliage would be a good start. I've seen wood-frame and screen enclosures built over a Rubbermaid container, so that the Rubbermaid can be pulled out and cleaned without bothering the lizard and water pooling in the bottom of the enclosure won't ruin the enclosure.

Some institutions use a misting spray hose daily or every other day on the enlcosures - the lizards drink the water straight from the air.

They eat insects, and while juveniles will hunt them, adults are mostly a sit and wait predator. Crickets would probably be a good start, and field collected insects such as grasshoppers (where they don't use pesticides) would probably be a good idea, too, if you have an area to collect them.

Not many zoos have them, but the Toledo Zoo and National Aquarium in Baltimore are both very good at caring for this species, so you might want to call thier herpetology departments to see if they can give you a list of articles to research.

Katrina

Katrina

Here's contact info for you if you want to call or write for recommended articles.

Katrina

Toledo Zoological Society
2700 Broadway
Toledo, OH 43609
Phone 419 385 5721

thank you so much. i will write them. im getting worried because he is not eating and is really skinny im going to make a vet apointment and see if there is anything i can do differently. he has not gone to the bathroom so i cant get a sample. thanks for the help.
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brandy

well he is doing alot better i bought him a bigger cage and put a water bowl in there and he started eating the crickets almost as soon as i moved him in his new cage. i guess he just wanted more room.
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brandy