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Species profile · Anguidae

Abronia graminea

Complete care sheet for the emerald alligator lizard — husbandry parameters, diet and breeding.

Mexican Alligator LizardTerrestrial Arboreal Alligator Lizard (Misnomer - strictly arboreal)Green Arboreal Alligator LizardLézard alligatorBaumschleiche
Adult size
25–30 cm
Lifespan
10–15 yrs
Difficulty
Advanced
Temperament
Diurnal
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Viviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Emerald Alligator Lizard — origin: Endemic to Mexico: high-altitude cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental, states of Veracruz and Puebla, ~1,350–2,700 m. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed as 'Endangered' (IUCN) and included in CITES Appendix II (protected in the EU) — only acquire captive-bred individuals, with documentation..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min13 °C
Cool side18–22 °C
Warm side24–26 °C

A cloud-forest species: DO NOT OVERHEAT. No true basking hot spot is needed; the ambient temperature must stay cool, ideally below 26 °C and NEVER sustained above ~28 °C, at the risk of fatal hyperthermia. A slightly warmer zone (24–26 °C) is more than enough. A night-time drop is beneficial (13–16 °C; brief dips toward 10 °C are tolerated). During hot summers, provide a means of cooling the room/terrarium.

Enclosure (adult)
45 × 45 × 60 cm

Tall, arboreal terrarium, heavily planted and strongly ventilated (bioactive recommended)

Vertical layout with plenty of branches, elevated hiding spots and bromeliads recreating the epiphytic microhabitat. Ample ventilation (large screened areas) is essential to avoid stagnant air while retaining humidity. Minimum ~45 × 45 × 60 cm for a single adult; provide larger (e.g. 60 × 45 × 90 cm) for a pair.

Humidity
60–80 %

High humidity but paired with strong ventilation to avoid stagnant air. Daily misting (morning and/or evening), letting it partially dry out between sessions; levels can rise toward 90% at night.

Substrate
Coco fibreSphagnum mossOrchid barkLeaf litterWell-draining bioactive soil

A substrate that retains humidity but drains well, never waterlogged. Favour a densely planted terrarium (bromeliads, pothos, mosses, vertical branches); bioactive maintenance (isopods, springtails) is ideal for this type of species.

UVB
Recommended

Yes — low to moderate UVB recommended (T5 tube ~5–6%, Ferguson zone 2–3). A diurnal high-altitude forest species: provide a gradient and large shaded areas. Replace the lamp every 6 to 12 months depending on the model.

Water source
Always available

Drinks mainly the misting droplets deposited on the foliage. Provide a small, clean water dish and/or a drip system, and maintain good ambient humidity.

Origin
Anguidae

Endemic to Mexico: high-altitude cloud forests of the Sierra Madre Oriental, states of Veracruz and Puebla, ~1,350–2,700 m. PROTECTED SPECIES: listed as 'Endangered' (IUCN) and included in CITES Appendix II (protected in the EU) — only acquire captive-bred individuals, with documentation.

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Insectivore — Crickets, roaches (Blaptica dubia), snails, caterpillars/hornworms, silkworms; wax moths occasionally

Varied, well-fed prey (gut-loaded). Regular dusting with calcium + vitamin D3 and multivitamins. Feed adults 2 to 3 times a week, juveniles more frequently. Snails, rich in calcium, are particularly relished.

Breeding
Viviparous

1 litter per year, usually in summer, after a gestation of about 6 to 8 months; the young are independent from birth. A threatened species (IUCN 'Endangered'), CITES Appendix II and protected in the EU: strictly favour captive-bred, documented animals. Wild-caught specimens are stressed, often parasitised and fragile.

Health watch points
  • Hyperthermia / heat stroke (often fatal above about 30 °C)
  • Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from a calcium/D3 deficiency or insufficient UVB
  • Dehydration and difficult shedding (dysecdysis) linked to too-low humidity
  • Respiratory infections (insufficient ventilation, stagnant air, unsuitable temperatures)
  • Internal parasites (nematodes) and stress, especially in wild-caught individuals
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Emerald Alligator Lizard.

    05

    Frequently asked questions

    Answers to the most common questions about keeping the emerald alligator lizard.

    What is the adult size of the emerald alligator lizard?▾
    It measures 25 to 30 cm in total length, with the prehensile tail accounting for roughly half of that; the body alone, from snout to vent, is barely 10 to 12 cm. It is therefore a slender lizard, but one that needs height to climb.
    What type of terrarium suits it?▾
    A vertical arboreal terrarium, densely planted and above all very well ventilated, at least 45 × 45 × 60 cm for a single adult, and more like 60 × 45 × 90 cm for a pair. Multiply the branches, elevated hiding spots and bromeliads to recreate its epiphytic microhabitat.
    Why must it never get too hot?▾
    It is a high-altitude cloud-forest lizard: the ambient temperature must stay cool, ideally below 26 °C, and never sustained above 28 °C, at the risk of fatal hyperthermia. No basking hot spot is needed; a slightly warmer zone of 24 to 26 °C is more than enough.
    What temperatures should you aim for precisely?▾
    Aim for a cool side of 18 to 22 °C and a slightly warmer zone of 24 to 26 °C, with a beneficial night-time drop toward 13 to 16 °C (brief dips to 10 °C are tolerated). In summer, you will often need a way to cool the room or terrarium.
    What humidity level should be maintained?▾
    High humidity of 60 to 80%, which can rise toward 90% at night, but always paired with strong ventilation to avoid stagnant air. Mist daily, morning and/or evening, letting it partially dry out in between.
    What does it eat?▾
    It is an insectivore that takes crickets, Blaptica dubia roaches, caterpillars and hornworms, silkworms and snails. Snails, being rich in calcium, are particularly relished; feed adults 2 to 3 times a week with well gut-loaded prey dusted with calcium and vitamins.
    Does it need UVB?▾
    Yes, low to moderate UVB is recommended (a T5 tube of about 5 to 6%, Ferguson zone 2 to 3). As a diurnal high-altitude species, provide a gradient and large shaded areas, and replace the lamp every 6 to 12 months.
    Can it be handled?▾
    It is best avoided: it is a shy, stress-sensitive species that clearly prefers not to be handled. Treat it as an animal for observation rather than contact.
    How does it reproduce?▾
    Remarkably for a lizard, it is viviparous: the female gives birth to 4 to 12 live, independent young, usually in a single litter per year in summer, after a gestation of about 6 to 8 months.
    Can you buy any individual?▾
    No. The species is classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN, listed in CITES Appendix II and protected in the European Union: you must only acquire captive-bred, documented individuals. Wild-caught specimens are stressed, often parasitised and fragile.
    Is this a beginner species?▾
    No, it is an advanced-level species. The need to keep it cool without ever overheating it, the fine-tuned management of humidity and ventilation, and its protected status make it suitable only for experienced keepers.
    What health problems should you watch for?▾
    The major risk is heat stroke, often fatal above about 30 °C. Also watch for metabolic bone disease (calcium, D3 or UVB deficiency), dehydration and difficult sheds linked to too-low humidity, as well as respiratory infections favoured by stagnant air.

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