Care Guide
Overview
- Common Name: Butterfly Agama
- Scientific Name: Leiolepis belliana
- Origin: Southeast Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos)
- Size: 12-15 inches
- Lifespan: 8-12+ years
- Temperament: Very alert and fast but may become somewhat tolerant of keeper
Enclosure Setup
Tank Size
- Minimum: 40-gallon breeder
- Recommended: 4' x 2' x 2'
Substrate
- Ideal Depth: 6-10 inches
- Our Mixture: 60% Sand + 40% Soil mix
Decor
- Flat basking rocks
- Cork bark/hides
- Open running space
- Sparse plants
Temperature and Heating
Temperature Gradient
- Basking Spot: 100–110°F
- Warm side: 85–90°F
- Cool side: 75–80°F
- Night temps: Can drop to 70–75°F
Humidity
- Target: low to moderate (30-50%) with a shallow water dish
Lighting
- UVB: Required
- Use 10-12% UVB tube placed over basking area
- Photoperiod: 12-14 hours daily
Diet
Staples
- Insects
- Crickets
- Dubia Roaches
- Mealworms (in moderation)
- Occasional Superworms
- Veggies
- Collard greens
- Mustard greens
- Dandelion greens
- Squash
- Occasional fruits
Feeding Schedule
- Adults: 4-5 feedings per week
- Juveniles: daily
Supplements
- Calcium:
- Without D3: 3-4x per week
- With D3: 1x per week
- Multivitamin: 1x per week
Water:
- Provide a shallow water dish at all times
Behavior and Handling
- Very alert and fast
- Can be skittish, especially wild caught individuals
- Males may display bright colors when excited or stressed
- When Handling, avoid grabbing from above and make sure to support their entire body
Shedding
- Will occur regularly in healthy individuals
To help:
- provide rough surfaces
- occasional light misting
Key Care Tips
- Hot basking temps + strong UVB
- Omnivores (insects + greens)
- Deep substrate for burrowing
- While they can become tolerant of their keepers, they are not recommended as a handle-able pet for beginners