Painted Agama Care Sheet
Lizard
9 - 12 inches long
10 - 15 years
Omnivore
Diet & Nutrition
Painted Agamas are omnivores. They can be fed dubia roaches, superworms, hornworms, and crickets. All feeder insects should be gut-loaded. Vegetation includes turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens.
Painted Agamas eat daily. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes.
Housing & Habitat
Painted Agamas are from the deserts and shrublands of Northern
Africa and The Middle East. An arid habitat with plenty of basking surfaces and hiding places should be provided. Painted Agamas are semi arboreal and do appreciate some climbing surfaces. Painted Agamas may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together Painted Agamas should be of similar size to avoid injury.
Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed if housed together.
Enclosure Size
An adult must have a minimum cage size of 36" Long x 18" Deep x 16" High.
Starting in this size enclosure is required to prevent stunted growth.
Substrate
Acceptable substrates include ground walnut shell, sand, or cage carpet. The concern with loose substrate is the possibility of impaction. If the
Painted Agama consumes large amounts of the substrate, it could cause intestinal blockage. Cage carpet is the safest option; however, it is difficult to clean easily. Ground walnut is the preferred substrate of The Tye-Dyed Iguana.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
A Painted Agama's basking spot should be 95°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F.
Lighting
Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
Humidity levels should be between 30% - 50%.
Watering
Always provide a bowl of fresh drinking water. Size the bowl appropriately to the animal. Supplemental spraying can be beneficial as they drink occasionally from water droplets.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Painted Agamas eat?
Painted Agamas are omnivores. They can be fed dubia roaches, superworms, hornworms, and crickets. All feeder insects should be gut-loaded. Vegetation includes turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens. Never Feed Lettuce! It contains no nutrition, only water and cellulose. Painted Agamas eat daily. Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes.
What size enclosure does a Painted Agama need?
Painted Agamas are from the deserts and shrublands of Northern Africa and The Middle East. An arid habitat with plenty of basking surfaces and hiding places should be provided. Painted Agamas are semi arboreal and do appreciate some climbing surfaces. Painted Agamas may be kept alone or in pairs. If housed together Painted Agamas should be of similar size to avoid injury. Never house two males together in the same tank. Two females generally get along well. A male and female will likely breed...
What temperature and lighting does a Painted Agama need?
A Painted Agama's basking spot should be 95°F. The cool end of the tank can be as cool as 70°F. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: Humidity levels should be between 30% - 50%.