Chalarodon madagascariensis
Common Names(s): Chalarodon; Dangalia Lizard
Classification
Family: Opluridae
Subfamily:
Genus: Chalarodon
Species: madagascariensis
Subspecies: N/A
Etymology [if applicable]
Chalarodon comes from
madagascariensis is named after the island of Madagascar, in which this species inhabits
Distribution
Type Locality: Madagascar (St. Augustins Bay)
Southwestern Madagascar. Most of the specimens in captivity are collected in/around the city of Toliara
---Map of distribution---
Habitat/Ecology
---Picture of habitat---
Found in semiarid regions of Madagascar usually on sandy soil. Hides under rocks or in burrows when frightened.
Size
Males are approximately 65mm SVL, with females being slightly smaller
Enclosure Size
An enclosure measuring 48''x24''x24''/120cmX60cmX60cm will comfortably house up to 1.4 (see Behaviour & Compatibility). Juveniles can be kept in smaller, though giving them more space would result in healthier animals.
Temperature/humidity
Cool side: 75-80°F/24-27°C
Warm side: 85-95°F/30-35°C
Basking spot: 120-140°F/49-60°C
rH: 50-60%
Burrow/hide humidity: 80-95%
Maintenance
Should be kept with at least 8'' of sand or substrate which allows and holds burrows. Provide rocks and branches for hiding, ensuring any heavy objects are secure and won't fall on the inhabitants.
Diet
Primarily an insectivore in the wild, this species has also been recorded eating flowers and its own offspring (Gardner & Jasper, 2012). Some populations are also known to eat intertidal crustaceans.
In captivity, the diet can consist of crickets, locusts, roaches, spiders, mealworms, and other species of larvae. Make sure all feeders have been gut loaded and dusted as needed. Frequency depends on prey size, however C. madagascariensis will gladly eat daily. Feed as much as they can eat in 10 minutes (usually 5-10 prey items depending on size).
Behaviour & Compatibility
For the most part this species is fairly calm.
Offspring can be kept together until they are 4-6 months old, or until the males start colouring up; at which point the males will begin to fight, with a dominant male eventually stressing the other males to death. One male per enclosure, with ratios up to 1.5 working in larger enclosures.
Sexing
Sexually Dimorphic. Males will begin to develop a crest at the nape at approximately 4 months and exhibit a bluish head and more pattern. Females are more dull and have a thicker, darker dorsal stripe.
Breeding/Reproduction
Notes
In 2015, Miralles et al described Chalarodon steinkampi sp. nov., which strips Chalarodon of its monotypic status. The type locality for C. steinkampi is 30 km north of Amboasary Sud along the road to Esomony. C. steinkampi was named after Martin Steinkamp, "in recognition of his support of biodiversity research and nature conservation through the BIOPAT initiative". It differs from C. madagascariensis in the following ways (Based on Miralles et al, 2015):
Chalarodon steinkampi Chalarodon madagascariensis
Gular & Ventral Scales: Smooth Strongly Keeled (1-3 keels/ scale)
Mental Scale: In contact with 4 scales In contact with 5-8 (usually 6) scales
Spotting: Extends from flanks onto belly Restricted to flanks
Throat: Unpigmented Pigmented
Dorsal Pattern: Distinct, dark Absent or poorly delimited
Limbs: Shorter Longer
Spines in dorsal crest: 81-97 90-109
Midbody scale rows: 144-170 165-204
References__________________________________________
Miralles, A., Glaw, F., Ratsoavina, F. M., & Vences, M. (2015). A likely microendemic new species of terrestrial iguana, genus Chalarodon, from Madagascar. Zootaxa,3946(2), 201-220. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.3
Gardner, C., & Jasper, L. (2012). Cannibalism in Chalarodon madagascariensis (Squamata: Iguanidae) from southwest Madagascar. Herpetology Notes, 5, 127-128. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
Vences, M. 2011. Chalarodon madagascariensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T172849A6929237. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172849A6929237.en
Brillet, C. (1982): Contribution à l’étude des relations entre individus chez cinq espèces d’iguanes malgaches du genre Oplurus. Rev. Ecol.-Terre Vie 36: 79-148.
Common Names(s): Chalarodon; Dangalia Lizard
Classification
Family: Opluridae
Subfamily:
Genus: Chalarodon
Species: madagascariensis
Subspecies: N/A
Etymology [if applicable]
Chalarodon comes from
madagascariensis is named after the island of Madagascar, in which this species inhabits
Distribution
Type Locality: Madagascar (St. Augustins Bay)
Southwestern Madagascar. Most of the specimens in captivity are collected in/around the city of Toliara
---Map of distribution---
Habitat/Ecology
---Picture of habitat---
Found in semiarid regions of Madagascar usually on sandy soil. Hides under rocks or in burrows when frightened.
Size
Males are approximately 65mm SVL, with females being slightly smaller
Enclosure Size
An enclosure measuring 48''x24''x24''/120cmX60cmX60cm will comfortably house up to 1.4 (see Behaviour & Compatibility). Juveniles can be kept in smaller, though giving them more space would result in healthier animals.
Temperature/humidity
Cool side: 75-80°F/24-27°C
Warm side: 85-95°F/30-35°C
Basking spot: 120-140°F/49-60°C
rH: 50-60%
Burrow/hide humidity: 80-95%
Maintenance
Should be kept with at least 8'' of sand or substrate which allows and holds burrows. Provide rocks and branches for hiding, ensuring any heavy objects are secure and won't fall on the inhabitants.
Diet
Primarily an insectivore in the wild, this species has also been recorded eating flowers and its own offspring (Gardner & Jasper, 2012). Some populations are also known to eat intertidal crustaceans.
In captivity, the diet can consist of crickets, locusts, roaches, spiders, mealworms, and other species of larvae. Make sure all feeders have been gut loaded and dusted as needed. Frequency depends on prey size, however C. madagascariensis will gladly eat daily. Feed as much as they can eat in 10 minutes (usually 5-10 prey items depending on size).
Behaviour & Compatibility
For the most part this species is fairly calm.
Offspring can be kept together until they are 4-6 months old, or until the males start colouring up; at which point the males will begin to fight, with a dominant male eventually stressing the other males to death. One male per enclosure, with ratios up to 1.5 working in larger enclosures.
Sexing
Sexually Dimorphic. Males will begin to develop a crest at the nape at approximately 4 months and exhibit a bluish head and more pattern. Females are more dull and have a thicker, darker dorsal stripe.
Breeding/Reproduction
Notes
In 2015, Miralles et al described Chalarodon steinkampi sp. nov., which strips Chalarodon of its monotypic status. The type locality for C. steinkampi is 30 km north of Amboasary Sud along the road to Esomony. C. steinkampi was named after Martin Steinkamp, "in recognition of his support of biodiversity research and nature conservation through the BIOPAT initiative". It differs from C. madagascariensis in the following ways (Based on Miralles et al, 2015):
Chalarodon steinkampi Chalarodon madagascariensis
Gular & Ventral Scales: Smooth Strongly Keeled (1-3 keels/ scale)
Mental Scale: In contact with 4 scales In contact with 5-8 (usually 6) scales
Spotting: Extends from flanks onto belly Restricted to flanks
Throat: Unpigmented Pigmented
Dorsal Pattern: Distinct, dark Absent or poorly delimited
Limbs: Shorter Longer
Spines in dorsal crest: 81-97 90-109
Midbody scale rows: 144-170 165-204
References__________________________________________
Miralles, A., Glaw, F., Ratsoavina, F. M., & Vences, M. (2015). A likely microendemic new species of terrestrial iguana, genus Chalarodon, from Madagascar. Zootaxa,3946(2), 201-220. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3946.2.3
Gardner, C., & Jasper, L. (2012). Cannibalism in Chalarodon madagascariensis (Squamata: Iguanidae) from southwest Madagascar. Herpetology Notes, 5, 127-128. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
Vences, M. 2011. Chalarodon madagascariensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T172849A6929237. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T172849A6929237.en
Brillet, C. (1982): Contribution à l’étude des relations entre individus chez cinq espèces d’iguanes malgaches du genre Oplurus. Rev. Ecol.-Terre Vie 36: 79-148.