Reptile · Agamid
Oriental garden lizard care guide
Calotes versicolor
The oriental garden lizard is a intermediate-level agamid from South and Southeast Asia. Adults reach 30–40 cm and live 5–8 years in captivity. Males turn red in breeding season. Keep alone.
- Enclosure 90 × 45 × 90 cm
- Temp 26–30°C, basking 35°C
- Humidity 50–70%
How much does a oriental garden lizard cost in Canada?
Oriental garden lizard quick facts
- Skill level
- Intermediate
- Adult size
- 30–40 cm
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Native range
- South and Southeast Asia
- Minimum enclosure
- 90 × 45 × 90 cm (35 × 18 × 35 in, ≈ 96 US gal)
- Housing
- Best kept alone.
- Temperature
- 26–30°C, basking 35°C
- Humidity
- 50–70%
- UVB
- Required
- Diet
- Insectivore – crickets, roaches
- Bioactive style
- Tropical arboreal
Oriental garden lizard enclosure & bioactive setup
Give one adult at least 90 × 45 × 90 cm (35 × 18 × 35 inches). Best kept alone. This species suits a tropical arboreal bioactive build.
- Leaf litter2 cm
- Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix10 cm
- Drainage – clay bio balls5 cm
Most of the action is vertical – keep the soil moist but not wet, and focus on perches and dense planting.
Temperature: 26–30°C, basking 35°C. Humidity: 50–70%. UVB: Required.
What does a oriental garden lizard eat?
Insectivore – crickets, roaches. Adults every 2 days, juveniles daily.
Handling, temperament & health
Flighty; display animal.
Health watch: Parasites in imports and metabolic bone disease.
Cleaning & maintenance schedule
Daily
- Mist to raise humidity – usually a heavy evening misting with a dry-down by day.
- Check temperatures at perch height.
Weekly
- Feed; remove uneaten food (and diet dishes after 24–48 h).
- Check the drainage layer and prune vines.
- Look for stuck shed on toes and tails.
Monthly
- Top up leaf litter.
- Check branches and mounts are still secure.
- Clean glass, vents and misting nozzles.
Yearly
- Refresh the top of the soil in open areas.
- Replace UVB bulbs (if used) on schedule.
Recommended for a oriental garden lizard bioactive
Quantities are for one minimum-size enclosure (90 × 45 × 90 cm).
Clay Bio Balls
Drainage layer, 5 cm
Jurassic ABG Terrarium Mix
Bioactive soil layer, 10 cm
Magnolia Leaves 10/Pack
Leaf litter – food and cover for the clean-up crew
Fresh Sphagnum Moss Container
Moss for humidity pockets and planting
Cork Bark Backgrounds
Turns the back wall into climbing space
Cork Bark Tubes
A “tree trunk” to climb and hide in
Yamuna Spiderwood
Arboreal species prefer diagonal and horizontal perches
Cork Branches
More climbing routes
Oriental garden lizard FAQ
Is the oriental garden lizard good for beginners?
The oriental garden lizard is best for keepers with some experience (intermediate). Flighty; display animal.
What size enclosure does a oriental garden lizard need?
At least 90 × 45 × 90 cm (about 35 × 18 × 35 inches, roughly 96 US gallons) for one adult. Best kept alone.
How much does a oriental garden lizard cost in Canada?
Typically $50–150 CAD to buy, about $1030–1750 CAD for a complete bioactive enclosure, and $250–400 CAD a year to keep.
What temperature and humidity does a oriental garden lizard need?
Temperature: 26–30°C, basking 35°C. Humidity: 50–70%.
What does a oriental garden lizard eat?
Insectivore – crickets, roaches. Adults every 2 days, juveniles daily.
Similar species
This care sheet is general guidance from One Bioactive, not veterinary advice. Needs vary with age, locality and individual animals – confirm with your breeder and an exotics vet. Prices are typical Canadian ranges in CAD and change over time.