Long-tailed Grass Lizard

Looks how to spot one

scales

This lizard has an extremely slender, streamlined body and a very long tail that can be three times the length of its body. The scales are mostly rectangular and keeled (ridged), giving a slightly rough texture. The head is narrow and the toes are long, helping it grip grass and branches.34

Personality what they are like

Long-tailed grass lizards are generally gentle and easy-going, though they can be flighty and anxious at first because they are used to dashing away from predators in the wild. Once they settle into a captive environment, they become peaceful and surprisingly calm. They are not aggressive toward humans and rarely bite, but they may drop their tail if grabbed. Males can become territorial with each other, so only one male should be kept per group.623

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These are diurnal, very active lizards that need plenty of space for running and climbing. A tall terrarium of at least 15 gallons (or 30 x 12 x 12 inches) is recommended for a single lizard, with branches, plants and other climbing structures. They enjoy basking in the early morning and will use vertical space if provided.532

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No special grooming is needed. The enclosure should be misted once or twice daily to maintain humidity between 70 and 80 per cent. A shallow water dish should always be available. Handle very gently and only when the lizard is calm; never grab the tail, as it may detach. Hand-feeding with tweezers can help build trust.735

Home where they are happiest

Provide a tall terrarium with a screen lid for ventilation. The warm end should have a basking spot of 90-95°F (32-35°C), while the cool end can be as low as 70°F (21°C). Humidity should be kept at 70-80 per cent by misting. Use plenty of branches, live or artificial plants and hiding spots to mimic their natural grassland and forest-edge habitat.723

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivorous. Feed live insects such as crickets, fruit flies, dubia roaches, black soldier flies, hornworms, mealworms and waxworms. Juveniles should be fed daily, adults every other day. Dust food with a calcium supplement daily and a multivitamin once or twice a week. Offer as many insects as the lizard can eat in about five minutes.536

Company who they like around

These lizards are fairly social and can be kept in small groups of one male with three or more females. Two or more males together may fight and injure each other. They are not venomous and are not protected or illegal to keep in most countries, but always check local regulations. They are best observed rather than handled; some individuals may become tame with regular, gentle interaction.263

The story where it all began

The long-tailed grass lizard was first scientifically described by the French zoologist Francois Marie Daudin in 1802-1803 in his work 'Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des reptiles'. It has been captive-bred in the USA and Europe for more than 20 years, though wild-caught specimens are also sometimes available. It is considered an easy-to-care-for beginner reptile, popular for its gentle nature and entertaining, agile movements.21