Description:
Scientific name: Diploglossus lessonae
Life span: 10 years
Diploglossus lessonae, the Brazilian galliwasp, is a species of carnivorous lizard. The “Calango Coral” or “Calango Liso” are its names in Brazil. Zebra-patterned offspring have black and white stripes around their body. Adults have short legs and a brown body with red or yellow heads and undersides.
Native Region/Habitat
The northeastern region of Brazil is home to this lizard. Scrub and low woods, as well as semiarid settings, are common habitats for D. lessonae.
Behavior:
They conceal themselves well and move quickly. When threatened or seized, they do have a tendency to bite. Simply said, they dislike being messed with. They are also not the finest exhibition animals due to their propensity for hiding behind objects.
Care As a pet/In captivity:
A 20–40 gallon terrarium is a wonderful place to start. Add around 4 inches of ground coconut coir to the tank’s bottom. Since these creatures enjoy burrowing, a nice, deep substrate is preferred. Place a shallow water dish at one end of the cage that is big enough for your galliwasp to sit in and soak. Every day, water should be replaced. Variety and hides are crucial, as well.
To prevent your pet from wandering off, use a sturdy screen top. Then, install a heat lamp on top of the screen, covering the heat pad. Using the heat from above and below, you want to create a hotspot of around 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the region above the heat pad.
The rest of the tank’s ambient temperature ranges from 75 to 80 degrees. Install a long UV lamp or fixture that runs the length of the tank over the screen top. In the morning, all lights should be on, and at night, they should all be out. Never stop using the heating pad.
Every few days, mist the substrate with water to maintain moisture and humidity. Also, this facilitates burrowing and will aid in a proper and thorough shedding process for your galliwasp, especially for those sensitive toes. Galliwasps will consume any tiny invertebrate in the wild. Moreover, they will eat tiny vertebrates like rats and fledgling birds. They eat a variety of foods in captivity, including pinky and fuzzy mice (killed), night crawlers, roaches, insects, canned monitor, ground turkey diet, and canned dog food.
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