Care Sheet - Oriental Garden Lizard

Scientific nameCalotes versicolorOther Common namesThe Oriental Garden Lizard, Eastern Garden Lizard, Changeable LizardHabitatThe native range of the species includes SE Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, India (including the Andaman Islands and particularly common in mainland India), Sri Lanka (Ceylon), Myanmar, Thailand, Western Malaysia, Maldives, Vietnam, Pulo Condore Island, South China (Yunnan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hongkong, Hainan Island), Indonesia (Sumatra), Mauritius (Reunion, Rodrigues). It has been introduced to Oman, Singapore, and United States. The lizards were introduced to Singapore from Malaysia and Thailand in the 1980s. In Singapore, they are a threat to the native Green-Crested Lizard. The Changeable Lizard is relatively common and found in a wide range of habitats. They appear to adapt well to humans and are thus not endangered.Open plains, forests, not bound to a specific biotope, Lives close to villages etc,DiurnalSizeUp to 40 cmLife Expectancy10+ years??Reproduction10-25 eggs, incubation period at 30°C about 40-50 days.The male gets a bright red throat in the breeding season which falls in May and June.TemperatureBetween 26-30°C, Basking spots up to 35 °C, Night turn down to about 20-23°C.Humidity70-95%

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LightingUV fluorescent tubes, Arcadia D3 Compact". "Incandescent spot lighting" for the creation of basking spots.SubstrateLoose, absorptive substrate Coir, forest/Orchid bark.Cage FurnitureBranches for climbing make sure some are vertical. A textured background is recommended. Planting is required Ficus benjamina, F. pumila, Scindapsus, etc. Artificial plants can also be used. Various hiding places and a large water bowl. FoodInsects (e.g. crickets, house crickets, locusts, cockroaches, super mealworms, wax moths, etc.) Regular additions of Calcium+D3 and vitamins should be added to the food 3 times a week or as directed by the supplements instructions.

John Gamesby

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