MOUNTAIN HORNED
DRAGON
Acanthosaurus
armata & Acanthosaurus crucigera
Origin: Throughout Asia
 Family: Agamidae
Imported specimens often arrive from Vietnam, Indonesia,
Malaysia, & occasionally
China
This medium sized agamid can achieve a total length of 29cm (slightly smaller
in A. crucigera). This agamid has a strongly build robust body supported by
strong legs with five toes. A single row of vertebral “spines” starting
mid body ending on the neck gives it one of it’s common names the “pricklenape”, “horns” above
it’s eyes give it the other, “mountain horned dragon”. A
dewlap is present in both sexes and in defence is extended with a hissing sound
and an arching of the back. Colouration is very variant and can be controlled
to some degree A. armata is a peacock pattern of orange and green with black
outlines, with a black eye patch. A. crucigera coloration is shades and patterns
of olive green brown and grey
This agamid lives in mountain cloud forest, & evergreen hill forests.
It can be found on low level branches and on the forest floor in amongst
the undergrowth; this environment is cool, humid and shaded.
In captivity the mountain horned dragon is an undemanding species with basic
needs, as long as these requirements are met this can be a long-lived species.
Enclosures can be mesh or standard viveriums, high humidity without creating
stale air is essential so I would recommend a mesh cage. A tropical rainforest
set-up is required with climbing branches and plants (real or plastic). Regular
spraying is required, this species can be much like a Chameleon in its water
requirement, it may not recognise still water, I use a gentle flow of air
in the water bowl to great effect. Overall dehydration can be the biggest
problem with this species, especial when kept in a to hot environment. Heating
is best achieved with the use of a spot lamp and dimmer stat. Temperature
ranges can be from 65°-75°F, this species does not like it hot, and
as pre-mentioned will get dehydrated quickly if kept too warm. A night drop
to approximately 65°F is ideal, a centrally heated house may not require
any night time heating. To help with humidity substrata should be peat or
orchard bark. This species is not nervous even when in close proximity, but
will put up an impressive display if it feels threatened.
Food can consist of all suitably sized commercially produced live foods,
and hedge sweeping, remember to only collect from areas you are sure pesticides
have not been used. This species is especially fond of earthworms; wax worms,
and mealworms, snails may also be taken.
The reproduction of the species in not well documented but I have hatched
several clutches laid by wild collected females. The incubation was long
approximately two months, although this will vary according to temperature.
The hatching are replicas of the adult, although much brighter in colour,
some are red and yellow. Sexual difference can be determined by looking at
the base of the tail; males have a large swollen area.
Overall this is a wonderful species to keep, its temperature requirement
make it an ideal addition to a heated reptiles room. It’s non aggressive
and will tolerate handling; as long as it is not held down it will sit happily
on an arm or hand. It is showy, diurnal, and will not hide in a dark corner
like some other agamids, once settled it will make a hardy, attractive addition
to any collection.
The following agamid species can be cared for and housed in the same fashion,
with variations in temperature:
Neon agamas Japalura sp.
Anglehead lizards Gonocephalus
sp.
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