Acanthosaura capra

Green Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura capra )

The Green Nackenstachler ( Acanthosaura capra ) is a representative of the Agamas ( Agamidae ), whose habitat in Southeast Asia ( Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam) is located.

Features

The decisive feature for the genus Acanthosaura are the pronounced spikes in the neck, on which also the Green Nackenstachler features. These are clearly separated from a less pronounced dorsal crest. Also above the eyes is to see at the Green Nackenstachler ever a thorn. This he may lose but not regenerate. Acanthosaura capra has an olive - green ground color, on a brown pattern can be seen. This coloring camouflages it optimally on tree trunks. During stress, the whole body is brown in color. The eyes are clear in healthy animals and orange / brown with a round black pupil.

The snout-vent length ( SVL ) of the male is 12 cm, the total length to 30 cm. The females are having a SVL of 13 cm and a total length up to 32 cm. slightly larger. The male has a yellow throat pouch that you get to see only in threatening posture. He has also, in contrast to females, below the eyes a yellow-green band and thickened side of the tail.

Occurrence

The Green Nackenstachler lives in the dense forests of Southeast Asia rather cool in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. There he holds to the top of the trees. He prefers the protection of the leaves, looking neither to direct sunlight or rain. He often lives near water, where he also dive and swim.

Way of life

The Green Nackenstachler is shy in nature. Instead of attacking, he flees or just turns to the other side of the tree trunk when it is discovered. Only in hopeless situations he threatens an attacker with tearing of the mouth and up the throat sac. Acanthosaura capra often lingers long in the same position and moves rather little. It depends on vertical branches, does not linger like horizontal. They are often found just below the treetops, as they are as protected from sun and rain.

Like most Agamas, they recognize only running water and seek this on to drink but also to bathe in it and to hunt. They are excellent swimmers and divers.

Reproduction

The courtship and mating behavior is typical of lizards: The male nods from an elevated position with the head and presented his glowing throat pouch to draw attention to themselves. If a partner is found takes place the neck bite and then the pairing. After a month, the female begins to dig and 10 - to lay 15 eggs in a 10cm deep hole. After about half a year, then slip the pups.

Nutrition

The Green Nackenstachler has a versatile food spectrum. He feeds exclusively carnivorous. Worm-like animals such as earthworms and various insect larvae are preferred. Also any other insect is eaten, but the Green Nackenstachler hunts not actively flying insects after. Even smaller lizards and amphibians, as well as nest young mammals are eaten. In his dives he does also hunt for fish. When eating the close relationship of Agame and chameleon comes to the fore: The Green Nackenstachler fixes the feed animal with both eyes and sticks out her tongue, which is very similar to the position of a chameleon shortly before the launch of the tongue. Instead of shooting the tongue, but he just runs to the animal and transported it with the sticky tongue in his mouth.

Attitude in the terrarium

Generally

Acanthosaura capra is unfortunately often offered for sale, without the potential customer knows what to expect of him. The animals need a terrarium of at least 140x70x170 cm (lxwxh ) Size. For this purpose a water supply must be available, which should be taken at least a quarter of the base, as well as a waterfall or watercourse as a drinking opportunity. These arrangements can under no circumstances renounce; since the Nackenstachler recognize only running water, they are vital to him.

Feed

In captivity the food must necessarily supplemented ( = complement ) are. Firstly, it must be enriched to another with vitamins with calcium ( for healthy bone structure ). This is best achieved by dusting with appropriate products. Frequently grated Sepia Kill for calcium needs and Korvimin or Herpetal is recommended for vitamin balance. In addition, feed animals must be with fruits and vegetables lured with food ( = Good Loading). In the gut of the insect feed the fruit (or vegetable ) is split. If the Nackenstachler eats the animal, the vitamins go over to him.

Ground

The best ground is forest soil. This itself are many small organisms that help with the cleaning of the terrarium. In addition, even commercial grade white isopods, as well as tropical springtails can be added to ground. The more likely the tropical climate are used to. They eat feces, feed plant and animal residues and mold. Your excretions serve the plants as fertilizer, so any artificial fertilizer is unnecessary. The substrate should be relatively low, because the females lay their eggs in it. Furthermore, he should always be moist, but not wet. It is recommended that expanded clay balls to bottom to enter into the terrarium. Then comes a garden fleece and on the earth. So Waterlogging is prevented.

Planting

The terrarium should be plenty planted. All indoor plants from the garden may trade in the terrarium. However it is important to take every plant first home from the pot to remove soil or expanded clay and the whole plant very good to shower to wash away fertilizers or other toxic agents. Recommended species include Ficus and Efeuarten. These plants are dense, have a lot of leaves and climb up the branches, which also leads to a plantation in the high range of the terrarium. In this type also recommended yet, small palm trees similar. For example, certain Dracenae ( dragon tree ) species. These already have a base which the Nackenstachler can use for climbing, and a tree crown that protects the animals from the light. In the terrarium also has numerous vertical, branched branches. The Astumfang should be at least the girth of the neck Stach coupler. Smooth branches or other smooth surfaces are not useful because the Nackenstachler have claws, which they use to hold on to. That is why even the installation of a rear wall, a rather soft material (eg cork) as another way of climbing advantage or a built of styrofoam itself (accordingly sealed ) rear panel.

Climate

The Greens Nackenstachler prefer lower temperatures than many other rainforest dwellers. In addition, they do not like direct light irradiation. Since the wattage, etc. depend on the size, material and other influences on the terrarium, you can call to any concrete figures. It should be ensured that a temperature gradient from top to bottom is formed. The Greens Nackenstachler feel most comfortable at temperatures around 25 ° C. The warmest places should be 27 ° C. A local place in the sun by up to 30 ° C should be present nonetheless. At night, a reduction in temperature to 18-20 ° C is necessary. Also about the lighting must of course be regulated UV - feeding. UV-B is particularly important in order to achieve a stable bone and preventing rickets. During the day, the humidity should be between 60-80 %, at night between 90-100 %. The day - night rhythm should be 12 hours. Climate change of day and night are very important for the animal. Both lighting and watering can all be controlled via timer and rain system. A hibernation can be realized by minimizing the lighting and no longer feeding for about 8 weeks.