WESTERN EUROPEAN GREEN LIZARD

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Lacerta bilineata
Adult Size: 30–40 cm total length
Lifespan: 10–15+ years
Activity: Diurnal • Terrestrial • Arboreal

📏 Size

• Adults can reach around 30–40 cm, including the tail.
• Males are usually larger and more vividly coloured than females.

🏠 Housing

• Provide a large, secure vivarium with plenty of floor and climbing space.
• For an adult, aim for at least 120 × 60 × 90 cm, with larger being preferable.
• Use a deep, naturalistic substrate suitable for digging.
• Provide cork bark, branches, rocks, hides and dense planting.
• Include both open basking areas and shaded retreats.
• A secure enclosure is essential as these lizards are active and capable climbers.

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking area: 35–38°C.
• Warm area: 27–30°C.
• Cool area: 21–25°C.
• Night-time temperatures can fall to around 18–20°C.
• Always provide a temperature gradient so the lizard can regulate its body temperature.

💡 Lighting

• Requires strong full-spectrum lighting and UVB.
• Use a suitable high-output UVB lamp, with a gradient from the basking zone to shaded areas.
• Provide around 10–12 hours of daylight.
• Replace UVB lamps according to the manufacturer's recommended schedule.

💧 Humidity

• Aim for approximately 50–70%, with higher humidity after misting.
• Provide good ventilation alongside humidity.
• A humid hide can be useful, particularly during shedding.
• Avoid keeping the entire enclosure constantly wet.

🍽️ Food

• Primarily insectivorous, particularly when young.
• Offer appropriately sized crickets, locusts, roaches, caterpillars and other suitable insects.
• Variety is important.
• Larger adults may also take suitable soft-bodied prey and occasional plant material.
• Dust food with calcium and use a suitable vitamin supplement as required.
• Remove uneaten insects to prevent stress or injury.

💧 Water

• Provide a shallow, stable water dish with fresh water.
• Mist the enclosure lightly when required to provide drinking droplets.
• Replace dirty water immediately.

🐍 Shedding

• Young lizards shed frequently as they grow.
• Adults shed less often.
• Provide suitable humidity and rough surfaces such as cork bark to help loosen old skin.
• Never pull retained skin from the animal.

🤲 Handling

• Can become accustomed to gentle interaction when captive-bred.
• Allow the lizard time to settle before attempting handling.
• Support the entire body and avoid grabbing the tail.
• Minimise handling, particularly when the animal is stressed or newly introduced.

❤️ Health

• Healthy animals should be alert, active and have clear eyes and a good body condition.
• Monitor for weight loss, lethargy, respiratory problems, abnormal faeces or retained shed.
• Correct UVB, calcium and temperature are particularly important for preventing metabolic bone disease.
• Regularly monitor weight and appetite.

🧹 Cleaning

• Remove faeces and uneaten food promptly.
• Replace soiled substrate as required.
• Clean the water dish regularly.
• Keep ventilation openings clear.
• A bioactive setup can reduce routine waste removal but still requires regular maintenance.

✅ Before You Bring Your Animal Home

☐ Large secure vivarium prepared
☐ Strong UVB and suitable basking lamp installed
☐ Temperature gradient checked
☐ Hides, branches and climbing areas provided
☐ Suitable substrate installed
☐ Fresh water available
☐ Live food and supplements ready
☐ Enclosure fully secure

⚠️ Important Bits

• Active, alert lizards that need plenty of space.
• Never rely on a single temperature reading; provide a proper thermal gradient.
• UVB must be positioned correctly and replaced when it reaches the end of its useful life.
• Do not feed insects that may have been exposed to pesticides.
• Never pick the lizard up by the tail.
• Allow a newly arrived animal time to settle before handling.
• Captive-bred animals are preferable where legally and ethically available.