Brujni Forest Dragon (Hypsilurus brujnii)

Common Name: Brujni Forest Dragon
Scientific Name: Hypsilurus brujnii
Source: WC
Adult Size: Up to approximately 60–70cm total length, including tail
Native Range: New Guinea (including the Vogelkop Peninsula and surrounding islands such as Biak and Numfor)

Enclosure: A minimum size enclosure 90x60x90cm — this arboreal (tree-dwelling) species needs significant vertical height, so a tall enclosure is essential. Furnish densely with sturdy diagonal and horizontal branches at varying heights, live or artificial tropical foliage for cover, and a thick layer of moisture-retaining substrate such as coco coir or a bioactive mix on the floor. Secure ventilation is important to maintain airflow alongside high humidity.
Heating: Provide a basking spot of around 30°C, with a cooler ambient temperature of 24–28°C throughout the rest of the enclosure. A night-time drop to 20–22°C is acceptable and reflects natural conditions in their highland forest habitat.
Humidity: High humidity of 70–90% is required, reflecting their rainforest origin. Achieve this through regular misting (at least twice daily), moisture-retaining substrate, and live plants where possible. Allow the enclosure to dry slightly between misting sessions to prevent stagnant conditions.
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask at around 20–30cm from the lamp. As a forest-dwelling species that receives dappled, filtered sunlight in the wild, a moderate UVB output is appropriate rather than a high-intensity desert-grade lamp.
Diet: Primarily insectivorous (insect-eating) — offer a varied diet of appropriately sized live insects such as crickets, dubia roaches, locusts, and black soldier fly larvae. Adults can also take the occasional small waxworm or mealworm as a treat. Feed juveniles daily and adults every two to three days, dusting prey with a quality calcium supplement at most feeds and a multivitamin supplement once a week.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

The Brujni Forest Dragon is a striking and rarely encountered lizard from the lush tropical rainforests of New Guinea, where it spends most of its life perched in the canopy and understorey of dense forest vegetation. With its laterally compressed body, impressive crest, and subtly patterned scales, it is one of the more visually dramatic members of the Hypsilurus genus — a group of agamid lizards (a large family of Old World lizards that includes bearded dragons and water dragons) found across Australasia and Southeast Asia.

Brujni Forest Dragons are best suited to experienced keepers who can confidently maintain the high humidity, consistent temperatures, and heavily planted enclosures this species demands. They tend to be calm but alert animals that, with gentle and patient handling from a young age, can settle well in captivity — making them a genuinely rewarding species for the dedicated enthusiast looking for something truly out of the ordinary.