LA
When we first wrote this info,
calotes versicolor were more available (and cheap). We haven't
had the little
varmints lately, so we'll show different calotes. Top ones called
Japalura or sometimes tree dragons. Bottom one called mountain horned
lizard.
LA
Quite a bit of variety in mountain horned lizards.
Origins:
We get our calotes from Viet Nam and China. Due to their low price, we
figure most are wild caught. As
a result, we occasionally get other than the versicolor species mixed in.
Usually, we receive small ones with little color.
On the plus side, young Calotes
versicolor adapt to captivity more readily than the larger adults.
LA
Not exactly a large lizard.
Name Note: You’ll see
these lizards under a variety of names.
One place calls calotes bloodsuckers. You’ll also see other lizards sold as tree dragons.
Since they run wild where they come from, various suppliers like to
give lizards different names. (That was the calotes running
wild, not the suppliers. Although ...)
LA
Calotes like to climb. Nice tail.
Arboreal: As their name
implies, these guys live in trees. They
need limbs to climb on and plenty of room.
LA
Different colors even within the same species.
Appeal:
Low price and bright colors (blues, bright greens, reds, purples on
the versicolors)
combine to make these an appealing lizard.
The dragon-like crests on the males add to their appeal.
LA
Japaluras appear to be one of the smaller Calotes.
LA
Mountain horned lizards look to be among the larger Calotes.
Maximum Size: Most of
these guys top out under a foot in length.
It will take a few years before yours reaches its theoretical
maximum size.
Housing: Give your
calotes plenty of room. They
need elbow room. Wood branches
with hanging vines will make them feel at home.
LA
Calotes like their crickets.
LA
And they eat wax worms from your fingers.
Foods:
In the wild, this species eats lots of ants.
(They’re one of the few lizards that will eat ants. The
horned lizard eats harvester ants.) In
captivity calotes adapt easily to crickets.
An occasional pinkie will provide the calcium they need.
LA
Warm calotes move very rapidly.
Temperature: Provide a
tropical temperature for them – at least 80o.
Higher works even better. Tropical
lizards fare very poorly at cooler temperatures.
Low temps slow their digestion and metabolism.
This makes them susceptible to disease.
Healthy lizards usually fight off the effects of internal parasites
and invading bacteria.
LA
Cool calotes like to nap. Others run like a scalded dog until they
get used to you.
LA
Though larger, this Calotes tamed instantly.
Temperament: Not exactly
as “handleable” as water dragons, you’ll need to move slowly around
these guys – particularly at first.
Don’t expect them to sit calmly on your shoulder (except in cold
weather).
LA
Calotes (like most lizards) like to plonk their hindquarters in the local
swimming pool.
High Humidity: Calotes need a great deal of humidity. Mist
them daily at a minimum. A
water bowl with a bubbling airstone works better as does a burbling
waterfall. Some fairly
economical waterfalls now exist on the market.
You no longer need to build your own.
Plants: Feel free to add
live plants to their tank. Calotes
do not destroy vegetation.
LA
These ramped water bowls work great for lizards and turtles.
Water: Provide plenty of
clean water. Dirty, unchanged
water causes stress and eventual death.
Lighting: You’ll
need a full-spectrum fluorescent bulb.
Diurnal lizards (those that work the day shift) need UVA and UVB
light to make the vitamin D3 they use to build their bones.
Supplements: You
increase your chances of success when you dust their crickets with a
calcium and vitamin supplement on a weekly or twice a week basis.
LA
Obviously ready for the upcoming rock concert, Cal bids you adieu.
Last Word: You can mix
calotes with similar-sized, non-aggressive lizards, IF you give them
plenty of room and keep them well fed.
Hungry lizards often eat other lizards.
LA.
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LA Productions
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