Northern Forest Dragon (Hypsilurus godeffroyii )

Common Name: Godeffroy’s Forest Dragon
Scientific Name: Hypsilurus godeffroyi
Source: WC

Adult Size: Typically around 30-40 cm total length

Native Range: New Guinea and surrounding islands

Enclosure: Large arboreal terrarium; minimum around 90 × 60 × 90 cm with strong branches, vertical climbing surfaces and dense planting

Heating: Basking area around 32 °C; ambient 24-28 °C; night drop around 20-22 °C

Humidity: 70-90 % with regular misting and good airflow

UVB: Moderate UVB recommended

Diet: Insectivorous; crickets, roaches, locusts and other feeder insects offered regularly

Water: Fresh water dish available; will also drink droplets from misting

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

Hypsilurus godeffroyi, commonly known as Godeffroy’s Forest Dragon, is an arboreal agamid lizard native to the tropical forests of New Guinea. It belongs to a group of forest dragons adapted to life among branches and tree trunks, where they spend much of their time perched above the forest floor.

This species has a slender body, long limbs and a lengthy tail that helps maintain balance while climbing. Colouration is generally brown or olive with darker patterning, providing effective camouflage against bark and foliage. Like many forest-dwelling agamids, it often remains motionless against tree trunks to avoid detection.

Godeffroy’s Forest Dragons are diurnal and typically move between perches while scanning for passing insects. Their arboreal lifestyle means they rely heavily on vertical space, climbing surfaces and dense cover. In captivity, enclosures that emphasise height, planted areas and elevated basking sites help reflect the structure of the forest habitats they naturally occupy.