The numbers
Enclosure
90 × 45 × 45 cm
Temperature
26–30 °C warm side; 22–24 °C cool side; important thermal gradient; basking spot 32–35 °C possible
Humidity
60–80%; large and shallow water dish (frequent soaking); misting 1×/day
UVB
UVB 5–10% recommended (improves bone health); photoperiod 12 h
Identity
Adult size
♂ up to 24 cm SVL, 1–2 kg; ♀ ~12 cm; juvenile ~2 cm
Lifespan
20–45 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
2 500–7 000
Difficulty
Beginner / intermediate (extreme appetite, powerful bite)
Origin / habitat
Cohabitation
Solitary only (cannibalism between individuals of all sizes)
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Terrarium 90×45×45 cm for adult ♂; 60×45×30 cm for ♀; solid lid; burrower — deep substrate 10–15 cm
Temperature
26–30 °C warm side; 22–24 °C cool side; important thermal gradient; basking spot 32–35 °C possible
Humidity / water
60–80%; large and shallow water dish (frequent soaking); misting 1×/day
Lighting / UVB
UVB 5–10% recommended (improves bone health); photoperiod 12 h
Substrate / decor
Coco fibre + peat + sand (burrowing mix, 10–15 cm depth); large water dish; feeding dish
Feeding
Voracious heavy eater: crickets, Dubia roaches, earthworms, adult mice (adults); juveniles 3–4×/week, adults 1–2×/week (obesity risk); calcium + D3 at every meal
Reproduction
Sexing
Extreme dimorphism: ♂ up to 4× heavier than ♀; ♂ bright green, ♀ olive-brown; ♂ with mandibular 'fangs' (odontoid processes)
Maturity
♂ 12–18 months; ♀ 18–24 months
Breeding trigger
Rainy season simulation: large aquatic area (outdoor pond or breeding pool); heavy misting; T° 28–30 °C; prior intensive feeding
Egg laying
Inguinal amplexus in shallow water; up to 4 000 eggs; hatching 48 h; ♂ aggressively guards the breeding site
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Very dense in shallow water; carnivorous (cannibalistic); metamorphosis 2–4 weeks (fast); separate immediately
Juvenile care
Froglets very voracious and cannibalistic — house individually or keep in same-size groups in spacious enclosures
Common health problems
Obesity in captive adults
Signsfeed 1×/week for adults; never excess pinkie mice
Gastric impaction
Signsgravel or decoration ingested — coco fibre substrate only; no pebbles
Bite
Signsvomerine 'fangs' can cause deep wounds — handle with thick gloves; caution with young children
Quarantine
Signs30 days; solo terrarium; tested feeding (refusal to eat = stress or illness); weigh on entry and exit from quarantine
Good to know
- ♂ guards eggs and tadpoles with extreme aggression — digs channels to connect isolated pools so tadpoles can move between them
- Prolonged aestivation in the dry season (shed-skin cocoon) — can survive several months without water in captivity if substrate dries out
- Exceptional longevity (record >40 years) — purchasing an individual = very long-term commitment
Others in this group
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