| general
|
| description |
A large, heavy-toothed
lizard that has blunt crushing and grinding surfaces.
The tail is laterally flatened. Dorsal scales consist
of very large raised and keeled plates surrounded by granular
scales. Plate-like scales on the upper surface of the
tail from 2 longitudinal serrated keels similar to those
in caimans. |
| distribution |
 
 
South America;
Amazon regions of Brazil, possibly Guyana, Peru, Coloumbia
and Ecuador |
| adult
size |
approx. 4' |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Semi-aquatic;
Boggy swamps, wetlands and slow-moving streams |
| cage |
Cage should be large enough
but does not need to be high because they do not climb
much. (e.g. Wooden Terrarium,
Glass Terrarium) |
| substrate |
barks (e.g. Repti
Bark, Coconut
Bark), soil, gravel |
| activity
period |
 Daytime (diurnal);
12
- 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or UV
lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
32 - 35 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
25 - 28 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
21 - 24 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
mid to high |
| hiding
place |
Essential, since it seems
to need its privacy. Keep it slightly moist but never
wet to the touch.
Possibllites include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Floating Wood), etc |
| water
area |
A large water area is
necessary since it is semi-aquatic. |
| diet |
| diet |
Carnivorous |
| primary
food |
Apple snails, Frozen snails,
canned seafood cat food, crayfish |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
|
Oviparous |
| eggs |
lays 5 - 7 eggs per clutch |
| incubation |
28 - 30 ¢XC in 179 days |
