Common Butterfly Lizard — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Common Butterfly Lizard — origin: Southeast Asia: Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula and southern China (Hainan). Inhabits open sandy areas, coastal dunes, dry grasslands and scrub, where it digs long burrows..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min22 °C

Cool side25–28 °C

Warm side30–35 °C

Basking spot40–45 °C

A heliophilic species from a hot, sunny environment: a genuine basking hot spot is essential. Maintain a marked thermal gradient with a cool zone allowing refuge. A natural nighttime drop is acceptable. Use a thermostat and check temperatures at substrate level under the spot.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 60 cm

A spacious terrestrial terrarium, prioritizing a large floor area and a substantial substrate depth to allow burrowing.

Minimum for one adult or a small compatible group; bigger is always better for this very active species. Floor space takes priority over height. Provide a perfectly secure lid (a fast, jumping animal) and hiding places/burrows. In a group (loose colony), greatly increase the floor area and multiply the burrow zones to limit conflicts.

Humidity

40–60 %

An overall moderate to dry atmosphere, but the bottom of the burrows remains more humid: keep the deep substrate layer slightly moist to maintain the structure of the tunnels and allow hydration via the burrow's microclimate.

Substrate

Non-calcareous sandSand/soil mixClay-rich soil (loam)

A substrate that is loose yet able to hold tunnels: a sand/soil mix moistened at depth produces the best burrows. Minimum depth of 20 to 30 cm (more is preferable). The surface layer may remain dry, the bottom slightly moist.

UVB

Recommended

Essential and of high intensity: a diurnal, heliophilic species. Provide a high-output UVB source (T5 HO 10-12%) covering the basking area, replaced according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Combine with strong general lighting.

Water source

Always available

Provide a small dish of clean, shallow water at all times. The species also hydrates through its food and the humid microclimate of the burrow. Light misting of the cool zone/burrow can help recently imported individuals.

Origin

Agamidae

Southeast Asia: Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, the Malay Peninsula and southern China (Hainan). Inhabits open sandy areas, coastal dunes, dry grasslands and scrub, where it digs long burrows.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Insects (crickets, locusts, beetles, roaches) and plant matter (edible flowers, young shoots, tender leaves such as dandelion, hibiscus).

Alternate animal and plant foods; juveniles are more insectivorous, while adults consume a larger plant portion. Dust the insects with calcium (with D3 sparingly) and offer a regular vitamin supplement.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 3–8 eggs/young. Eggs are buried in the substrate; the species needs an area of deep, sufficiently moist substrate to lay. Artificial incubation is generally around 28-30 °C for about 2 months (variable). Taxonomic note: the genus Leiolepis includes parthenogenetic (unisexual) species, but L. belliana is a sexual, bisexual species.

Health watch points

Massive internal parasitism (nematodes, protozoa) very common in wild-caught animals — veterinary screening and deworming recommended on arrival
Chronic stress and refusal to feed leading to dehydration and wasting
Rostral (snout) abrasions caused by escape attempts/rubbing against the walls
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) in cases of insufficient UVB or calcium
Digestive impaction (temperature too low or ingestion of unsuitable substrate)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Common Butterfly Lizard.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the common butterfly lizard.

How big does an adult butterfly lizard get?▾

Between 35 and 50 cm in total length, but the very long tail often accounts for more than half of that measurement: the body itself stays moderate in size and flattened.

What terrarium should be provided for this burrowing species?▾

Prioritise floor space over height: 120 x 60 x 60 cm minimum, with a substantial depth of substrate to allow it to dig burrows. A perfectly secure lid is essential, as this is a fast, jumping animal; when kept in a group, floor space must be greatly increased and burrow zones multiplied to limit conflicts.

What hot spot and thermal gradient should be provided?▾

This is a heliophilic species that needs a genuine basking spot of 40 to 45°C, with a warm zone of 30-35°C and a cool side of 25-28°C to retreat to. A thermostat and temperature checks at substrate level, under the spot, are essential.

Is UVB essential?▾

Yes, and of high intensity: this diurnal, heliophilic species needs a high-output UVB source, for example a T5 HO 10-12% tube, covering the basking area, combined with strong general lighting.

What humidity and substrate should be used?▾

The general atmosphere stays moderate to dry, between 40 and 60%, but the bottom of the burrows must remain slightly damp to keep the tunnels stable. A mix of non-calcareous sand and soil, or clay-rich soil, to a depth of 20 to 30 cm, gives the best results.

What does a butterfly lizard eat?▾

It is an omnivore that alternates insects (crickets, locusts, beetles) with plant matter (edible flowers, young shoots, tender leaves). Juveniles are more insectivorous, while adults eat more plant matter; insects should be dusted with calcium, with a little D3.

How does it stay hydrated?▾

A small dish of clean, shallow water should be available at all times, but the species hydrates mainly through its food and the humid microclimate of its burrow. Light misting of the cool zone can help recently imported specimens acclimatise.

Can it be handled?▾

This is really not an animal for handling: very active, extremely fast and flighty, it experiences stress and escape attempts as a major ordeal. It is better to watch it move about in a well-furnished terrarium than to try to take it out regularly.

What health problems should be watched for, and why the caution when buying?▾

Almost all specimens available are imported wild-caught animals, which exposes them to massive internal parasitism requiring veterinary screening and deworming as soon as they arrive. Also watch for chronic stress and food refusal, snout abrasions from escape attempts, metabolic bone disease if UVB or calcium is insufficient, and digestive impaction if the temperature is too low or the substrate unsuitable.

Is this a species for beginners?▾

No, it is rated as advanced level: precise management of the thermal gradient and UVB, a status largely based on wild-caught animals, and a flighty temperament all call for real prior experience.

What is its lifespan?▾

8 to 12 years for a well-kept animal, but freshly imported wild-caught specimens often see this life expectancy reduced if stress and parasites are not quickly addressed.

How does it reproduce?▾

It is an oviparous species that lays 3 to 8 eggs, buried in deep, sufficiently damp substrate. Artificial incubation is generally carried out at around 28-30°C for about two months; unlike other species in the genus Leiolepis, which are parthenogenetic, L. belliana is indeed a sexually reproducing, bisexual species.

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