Long Tail Lizard (Takydromus sexlineatus)

Common Name: Long-Tailed Grass Lizard
Scientific Name: Takydromus sexlineatus
Source: WC
Adult Size: 25–30cm total length (the majority of which is tail)
Native Range: South and Southeast Asia, including India, southern China, and much of mainland Southeast Asia into Indonesia

Enclosure: A minimum 60×45×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium for a single specimen, though a pair or small group benefits from more space — the enclosure should be planted or decorated with dense grass-like vegetation, thin climbing branches, and cork bark hides to mimic their natural grassland habitat; a bioactive substrate of topsoil and leaf litter works excellently
Heating: Basking spot of 32°C; ambient cool side around 24–26°C; night-time temperatures can drop to 18–20°C safely
Humidity: 60–75%; achieved through light daily misting on one side of the enclosure and a moisture-retaining substrate, allowing the other side to dry out between mistings
UVB: A 6% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can bask 15–20cm from the lamp; despite their small size, these are diurnal (day-active) lizards that receive meaningful sun exposure in the wild and benefit considerably from proper UVB provision
Diet: Primarily small live invertebrates — fruit flies, micro crickets, small waxworms, and similar appropriately-sized feeder insects dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements; feed every one to two days for adults, daily for juveniles

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Long-tailed grass lizards are slender, quick-moving little reptiles native to the grasslands, rice paddies, and forest edges of South and Southeast Asia. Their most immediately striking feature is their extraordinarily long tail — often two-thirds or more of their total body length — which they use for balance as they dart and weave through dense vegetation with remarkable agility.

These lizards are best appreciated as a display animal rather than a hands-on pet; they are fast, delicate, and generally prefer to be observed rather than handled. They reward patient keepers with entertaining, natural behaviour and look superb in a well-planted, naturalistic setup — making them a wonderful choice for anyone wanting a lively, visually distinctive vivarium inhabitant.