Melissa
Kaplan's
Herp Care Collection
Last updated
January 1, 2014
Sailfin Lizards
Hydrosaurus.
©1994 Melissa Kaplan
Hydrosaurus
putulatus (Philippines)
H. amboinensis (Celebs, Moluccas, New Guinea)
H. weberi (Moluccas) [considered by some to be H. amboinensis]
General
Introduction
Not a good choice for beginners.
More high strung and nervous than iguanas, and do not become as tame as igs even when worked with extensively. Frequent flee/flight behavior necessitating a very large enclosure. Injured snouts and fingers/toes common due to bashing into walls of their enclosure.
Hunted for food in their native countries, the added pressure of wild collection of adults and juveniles for the pet trade is quickly reducing the wild population. Currently no wildlife management of these species.
Although it would work as well, there is currently no farming program for the sailfins as there are for the green iguanas.
Family
Connections
These are agamid lizards, thus the old world cousin to the
new world iguanids. They are the largest of the Agamidae family. Males
can reach 3.5 feet, females somewhat less.
Sexing
Males recognized by the development of their tail crest, appearing
as buds at about 6 months of age in captivity. In adults, the sail-like
fin of the males is unmistakable; females have a smaller fin.
Males develop enlarged nasal knobs, but so do some females. Males have larger pre-anal and femoral pores.
Longevity
Up to 10 or more years. One 15.5 year old H. amboinensis was still
living in 1992.
Housing
Relatively asocial (though they do get along well with igs
larger than they are). Males will fight if kept together; females can
be pretty aggressive, too. Overcrowding and territorial stress include
hiding most of the time, inanition, listlessness.
Mature animals require viviariums 5' long or longer. Large plants, bark and cork substrate, and a large pan of water for swimming, soaking and defecation a must. Branches for climbing and basking. (cornstalk dracenea, cut-leaf philodendrons, pothos, clover, hibiscus, grape)
Temperatures
84-88 F during the day, 75-80 F at night. Basking area of no more
than 90 F.
Lighting
UVB fluorescents not essential, but some regular exposure is recommended
to help ensure both calcium metabolism (UVB) and proper feeding and other
behaviors (UVA).
Feeding
Sailfins are omnivores:
Hatchlings: 70% prey / 30% plant.
Juveniles: 60% prey / 40% plant.
Adults: 50% prey / 50% plant.
Feed plants as for iguanas, and add Zoophoba (super worms) and Tenebrio (mealworms) worms, crickets, pinks. Supplement vitamins and calcium regularly.
Handling
Handle
regularly so that you can at least perform periodic health inspections.
Trim nails as for iguanas.
Breeding
Little done at this time as the imports are so cheap. Oviparous,
larger females laying 8-11 eggs. Incubation 65 days. Due to the continued
destruction of their habitat and the poor condition in which they arrive
in this country, captive breeding is not only desirable, but will soon
become a "must."
Related Articles
TIGR Reptile Database: Agamidae
