angle headed dragon care sheet

The Angle-Headed Dragon is an arboreal and ground foraging lizard, which measures about 11cm shout to vent and twice that in the tail length. 

They can be either patterned or plain. 

On the large angular head there is a fleshy crest with spines which can be lowered or raised, a row of shorter spines runs dorsally down to the tail base. The limbs are thin and the toes long and

spindly. 

These charming creatures have a mediaeval air about them they live in rainforests from North Eastern New South Wales to South Eastern Queensland. Living under a forest canopy for thousands of years, they have evolved a different thermo-regulatory system to

most other lizards. 

Rainforest temperatures peak at around 28c so Angle-Headed Dragons are

active at cooler temperatures than their open forest and desert cousins.

As arboreal lizards, Southern Angle-Headed Dragons (Hypsilurus spinipes) need an enclosure which is higher rather than wide. A cage around 60cm wide, 40cm deep and 90cm high would be ideal for a male and one or two females. Provide plenty of climbing supports especially vertical branches around 4-6cm in diameter preferably with a rough bark to provide extra grip for the climbing lizards. Artificial plants are a good option as they provide extra cover yet don't deteriorate under the low light levels required by these lizards. Outdoor enclosures work well for angle-heads provided they are located in a sheltered and shady position.

A low (5-7%) UV fluorescent tube or compact bulb is all that is required for light and as long as the cage stays around 20-28°C over the warmer months no additional heat is required. In fact it is important to ensure the dragon's enclosure doesn't exceed 34-35°C for any extended period otherwise heat stress may be potentially fatal. Humidity is also important for these damp forest inhabitants so a water bowl and regular spraying of the enclosure are essential. Using a substrate that retains moisture such as cocopeat will help with this. Humidity level is 60-65%.

Southern Angle-Headed Dragons are insectivores and will eat a wide range of live foods such as crickets, woodies and meal worms (to be only given as treats) of appropriate size (5-7 pieces per head 2-3 times a week depending on the animals’ appetite and physical state). Along with insects we always offer finely chopped salad mix consisting of: Chinese cabbage, salad, arugula, basil, carrots, sweet pepper, dandelions. Salad is dusted with calcium powder.

The most common encountered disease in captivity is metabolic bone disease (MBD) caused by either er a lack of calcium in their diet or lack of sufficient UV to metabolise the calcium. Deformities can range from a kinked tail to severe deformities making life impossible. Prevention is obviously the remedy here.
Stomatitis- a nasty mouth infection can occur probably as the result of an injury to the mouth.First signs may be difficulty in chewing and at a more advanced stage a lip drooping. This needs veterinary attention, it will have to be swabbed with an antiseptic daily and will need antibiotics. No doubt overcrowding and dirty conditions will create the right conditions for pathogens to flourish.