How to Breed Agama Lizards

Agama lizards are relatively big lizards that originate from eastern Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia. Agama lizards are often referred to as rainbow lizards due to their bright skin colorings. Adult males are often a mix of vivid blues, greens and oranges, and can change their color, usually during the breeding process or when fighting off rival males. Agama lizards are generally sociable, and will usually breed between March and May if their environment is correct.

Things You'll Need

  • Calcium and vitamin powders
  • Bowl or hide
  • Vermiculite
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your lizards are old enough to breed. Adult males should be around 10 inches long. Females are slightly smaller at around 8 inches. There are some smaller agama lizards who only measure around 5 inches, although these are rare, and the reason for the stunted growth is unknown.

    • 2

      Sex your lizards. Most agamas will live happily together for the first few months as juveniles, even if you have two males. Once maturity begins, your lizards may begin fighting if you haven̵7;t sexed them right. Males are bigger and have much brighter colors. Females are usually green-brown and have a white underbelly. The female may have side markings or an olive colored head.

    • 3

      Monitor your temperatures. Incorrect temperatures can affect your reptile̵7;s health and hormone levels, preventing successful breeding. Daytime temperatures should be 90 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to 76 degrees at night.

    • 4

      Offer a wide variety of food. Agama lizards feed mainly on insects such as locusts, waxworms and crickets, which should be gut-loaded for a few days before feeding. Your agama may also enjoy fruit and vegetables. Adult agamas should be fed once a day, and just before breeding season you may find the female eats more.

    • 5

      Increase your female̵7;s calcium intake. Food should be dusted with calcium year-round to prevent calcium-related issues such as metabolic bone disease. You should apply more calcium powder just before breeding, or purchase a calcium and vitamin mix that is balanced for breeding agamas.

    • 6

      Create a safe area for your female to lay. You can use a wide bowl, or a box that fits into her vivarium. This should be covered with a thin layer of vermiculite to cushion the eggs. The female needs to be able to get in and out of the laying area easily.

    • 7

      Watch your agama̵7;s behavior toward each other. The male may begin to change colors to attract the female. When the female is ready to breed, it will open its hindquarters to the male. The mating process usually begins with the male nodding his head and can last a few minutes.

    • 8

      Observe your female agama. If breeding was successful, the female should lay a large clutch of eggs, usually between 15 and 30, hopefully in the egg-laying area. The vivarium should incubate the eggs, and they will hatch two to four months after being laid.