Sudan Plated Lizard — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Sudan Plated Lizard — origin: East and Central Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and neighbouring regions). Dry savannas, semi-arid zones and rocky outcrops (kopjes). Taxonomic note: the species is today often classified under the name Broadleysaurus major..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C

Cool side24–27 °C

Warm side30–33 °C

Basking spot35–42 °C

A heliophilic savanna species: a true hot spot is essential. Create a strong thermal gradient with a warm zone under the spot and a cool side. A natural nighttime drop is accepted (down to ~18-20 °C), with no light-emitting heating at night.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 50 cm

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium, sturdy and secure

Indicative minimum for a single adult; larger is always better (150 x 60 cm appreciated). A powerful burrowing species: provide a deep substrate (15-20 cm minimum) and solid hides. Firmly secure the décor, as the animal digs and moves objects around. Avoid housing several males together.

Humidity

40–60 %

An overall dry savanna ambience, but provide a humid hide (moss/sphagnum) that facilitates shedding and rest. Background humidity that is too high and permanent promotes respiratory infections.

Substrate

Mix of topsoil (fertiliser-free) and non-dusty sandCoconut fibreTerrarium topsoil

Loose substrate deep enough (15-20 cm) to allow natural burrowing behaviour. It must hold tunnels without collapsing. Avoid substrates that are too coarse or non-digestible (large gravel, pure sand) which increase the risk of impaction.

UVB

Recommended

Essential. A diurnal, heliophilic species: install a good-quality UVB tube (T5 5-6 % / Ferguson zone 3, UVI ~3-4 at the basking spot), replaced every 6-12 months depending on the model. The absence of UVB causes metabolic bone disease.

Water source

Always available

A bowl of fresh, clean water available at all times; the animal drinks and may occasionally soak in it. Clean and renew regularly.

Origin

Gerrhosauridae

East and Central Africa (Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and neighbouring regions). Dry savannas, semi-arid zones and rocky outcrops (kopjes). Taxonomic note: the species is today often classified under the name Broadleysaurus major.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Insects (crickets, roaches, earthworms, mealworms), supplemented with fruit, edible flowers and soft vegetables

Very food-motivated and prone to obesity: ration portions and monitor weight. Dust prey with calcium (with D3 depending on the UVB) and provide a regular vitamin/mineral supplement. Vary plants and proteins; avoid excess sugary fruit.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 2–6 eggs/young. A clutch of 2 to 6 eggs after a period of winter rest/cooling that stimulates reproduction. Incubation of about 80-95 days at around 28-30 °C. Provide a humid, loose egg-laying site deep enough for the female.

Health watch points

Internal parasitism (very common in wild-caught individuals) - quarantine and veterinary faecal examination recommended
Obesity linked to overfeeding
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from UVB/calcium deficiency
Respiratory infections in an environment that is too cold and/or too humid
Digestive obstruction (impaction) and retained shed (dysecdysis)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Sudan Plated Lizard.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the sudan plated lizard.

Is the Sudan plated lizard suitable for a beginner keeper?▾

Yes, fairly so: it's rated beginner to intermediate level, known for being extremely calm and rarely biting. That said, be careful, since many individuals sold are still wild-caught, stressed and parasitized on arrival, which calls for a proper quarantine period.

How big does it get as an adult?▾

Expect 45 to 55 cm in total length including the tail (which makes up roughly half), with some large specimens approaching 60 cm. Its stocky, robust body, armored with square osteoderms, gives it the look of a small dragon.

What enclosure and substrate does it need?▾

A sturdy, horizontal terrestrial terrarium of at least 120 x 60 x 50 cm is enough for a single adult, though 150 x 60 cm is more comfortable. It's a powerful burrower, so a loose substrate at least 15 to 20 cm deep and well-anchored hides are required, since the animal tends to rearrange everything.

What temperatures and basking spot should be set up?▾

Provide a real basking spot of 35 to 42 °C, with a warm zone of 30-33 °C and a cool side of 24-27 °C. A nighttime drop to 18-20 °C is not a problem and needs no heating overnight.

Is UVB essential?▾

Yes, a quality T5 5-6% UVB tube (Ferguson zone 3) is essential for this diurnal, sun-loving species, and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Without it, the risk of metabolic bone disease is high.

What humidity level should be maintained?▾

The overall ambient humidity should stay fairly dry, between 40 and 60%, as in its savanna habitat. A moist hide (moss or sphagnum) is nonetheless useful to ease shedding and provide a resting spot, as long as you don't maintain constant background humidity, which would encourage respiratory infections.

What does the Sudan plated lizard eat?▾

It's an omnivore highly motivated by food, enjoying crickets, roaches, earthworms and mealworms, supplemented with fruit, edible flowers and tender vegetables. Portions need to be rationed, however, since it readily becomes obese, and prey should be dusted with calcium.

How should water be provided?▾

A bowl of fresh, clean water should be available at all times, cleaned and refilled regularly. The animal uses it for drinking and sometimes soaks in it.

What is its lifespan?▾

Generally expect 15 to 20 years, sometimes more with good care, though the lifespan of wild-caught specimens remains more uncertain.

Does it breed easily in captivity?▾

The female lays 2 to 6 eggs following a rest period or a slight winter cooling that stimulates breeding, with an incubation of roughly 80 to 95 days at around 28-30 °C. She needs a moist, loose and sufficiently deep nesting site.

What are the main health risks?▾

Internal parasitism is by far the most common issue in wild-imported individuals, which is why a systematic veterinary fecal exam during quarantine is worthwhile. Next come obesity from overfeeding, metabolic bone disease from UVB or calcium deficiency, as well as digestive impactions and retained sheds.

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