Check out our Podcast on Keel-Bellied Lizards!

Defining Characteristics:

• Beautiful green coloration
• Diurnal
• Long prehensile tails
• Active and curious lizard
• Keeled scales

Name: The bright green color and keeled scales of the Gastropholis prasina give credence to their common name: the green keel-bellied lizard. This mostly arboreal species from the coastal forests of Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya, has a very impressively long prehensile tail. 

Recommended Enclosure Size: A single adult animal should be kept in at least a 18x18x24 enclosure. Pairs have been successfully kept and bred in this size as well, but would benefit from something larger such as a 36x18x36 terrarium.

A bioactive setup with live plants is strongly recommended for this species; BioBedding is recommended to maintain live plants, springtails, and isopods. These arboreal lizards should be provided plenty of hiding spots along with ample horizontal and vertical climbing material. Large cork bark flats and tubes, live oak, manzanita, and other branches will all be appreciated by this very active species.

Temperature: Keep green keel-bellied lizards between 72-80 F. A basking spot of around 90-95 F should be provided. Temperature should be monitored with a digital thermometer, and hot spot can be checked with an infrared thermometer or temperature gun. Night temperatures should not fall below 68 F. These diurnal lizards should also be provided with a 5.0 or similar strength UVB light..

Humidity: Humidity is very important to this lizard and should be provided a humid setup between 60-70%. A well-ventilated enclosure should still be used while maintaining higher humidity. Plants can be added to help stabilize higher humidity as well as provide humid microclimates. Ambient humidity should be monitored with a digital hygrometer. Green keel-bellied lizards should be misted daily if not multiple times per day to provide and maintain this high humidity and to provide dew on enclosure walls and cage items from which they can drink. A shallow water dish should also be provided.

Size: Green keel-bellied lizards are a long and slender lizard with impressively long prehensile tails. As adults, they can range between 10-16 inches long with tails. Hatchlings are around 3 to 5 inches.

Age: Green keel-bellied lizards are at least 4 weeks old when sold by Josh’s Frogs, at which time they are well established. It is estimated that these lizards live for around 10-15 years in captivity.

Feeding: Green keel-bellied lizards are insectivores. In captivity, they will thrive on a diet of daily feeder insects. Hatchlings and juveniles are large enough to take ⅛” crickets, or even ¼” crickets, and hydei fruit flies. As they get older, they can be moved to ½” and ¾” crickets. Other appropriately sized feeder insects, like dubia roaches, waxworms, and black soldier fly larvae, can also be occasionally offered but need to be provided in a food dish to be accessible. Feeder insects should be gutloaded and dusted with a calcium and multivitamin supplement. Individuals may also occasionally take fruit gecko diet mix, though this should be offered as a treat and not as a staple.

Sexing: Compared to females, males will develop far more exaggerated pores with age.

Color/Pattern:: This species exhibits a very bright green color; however, stressed out individuals will take on darker shades of green with bluish tints. The scales on its back are small, smooth and green, whereas the scales on its belly are yellow-green and keeled.

Social Behavior:: This lizard species is best housed as a pair or solo. Aggression can occur between males, females, or between a male and female, and individuals should be separated if any signs of bullying persist. 

Breeding: You will want to cycle them according to their natural habitat where it is hot and wet in the spring and then cooler and dryer conditions in the summer. They are egg gluers and generally will attach their eggs in tubes of cork. They can lay egg clutches up to 12, but typically they range from 6-8. They don’t lay monthly or on a regular basis. Eggs should be removed and incubated on a 1:1 mix of vermiculite and water or moist sphagnum moss at around 78 degrees.

Natural Range:: These lizards are endemic to the coastal forests of Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.

History in the Hobby:: Likened to a small version of a green tree monitor, this charismatic, active species is becoming more and more popular in captivity, though it remains fairly rare. Captive breeding efforts have removed the need to take this species from the wild.

Still not sure if the green keel-bellied lizard from Josh's Frogs is the right pet for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!