Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I recently aquired a Tracheloptychus petersi (Malagasy plated lizard). It took forver to figure out what this guy (sold as a sandfish) is but after calling the SAC ZOO and hard research, he's a plated lizard.

I keep reading they come from mixed habitats, riverbeds AND deserts. But can drown in an inch of water! How the heck should I set up his enclosure??? Right now it's about 4-6inches of sand with a very small shallow water dish and some slate. He stays burrowed deep all day, comes out mid-day to eat and drink, and disappears.

Any info would be great, Ive found some links and info but nothing on exact habitat requirements. Thanks! This is the first plated lizard Ive had.

Hello,

There is a short but thorough care section on your species of Keeled Lizard (Gerrhosaurus are the true plateds, and Zonosaurs the Girdled, etc.) on pp. 55-56 of Manfred Rogner's Volume 2 LIZARDS. Rogner's books are still available via Amazon, ABE, etc., or should be in a decent library.

Good luck with your new lizard!

C.

We have kept them in a pile of sand. Six inches is good. Using a self ballasted mercury vapor bulb we heat the sand surface to 110 or so. We put a one inch glass divider in the bottom below the sand and put water directly into the sand on one side of the tank divider only. The other hot end is dry. The lizard will visit the damp sand when thirsty and actually drink from between the grains of sand.

The source that references riverbeds 'AND' deserts likely should have said riverbeds 'IN' deserts!

Insects on the surface are eaten. Crickets work and also soft bodies grubs. Calcium is required.
-----
AMAZON REPTILE CENTER

NAMED BEST REPTILE STORE IN LOS ANGELES

They also eat a fruit mix like one for Phelsumas.
I have a pair of subadultys of these amaizing lizards.