Species Detail
Jamaican Giant Galliwasp
Lizards

Jamaican Giant Galliwasp

Celestus occiduus

Habitat

Forest floor and caves

Range

Jamaica

Adult Size

Up to 24 in (Up to 60 cm)

Diet

Insects, small frogs, and fallen fruit

Find on MorphMarket
Conservation status:Critically Endangered

Recommended Tank Sizes

Enclosure size guidance by life stage for Jamaican Giant Galliwasp. General guidelines โ€” always research species-specific requirements and size up whenever possible.

Baby

10โ€“20 gal (38โ€“76 L), 20"โ€“30" long (51โ€“76 cm)

Juvenile

30โ€“40 gal (114โ€“151 L), 36" ร— 18" (91 ร— 46 cm)

Sub-Adult

40โ€“50 gal (151โ€“189 L), 36"โ€“48" ร— 18" (91โ€“122 ร— 46 cm)

Adult

50โ€“75 gal (189โ€“284 L), 48" ร— 18"โ€“24" (122 ร— 46โ€“61 cm)

Orientation: Terrestrial (long). As a rule of thumb, the enclosure length should be at least 2ร— the reptile's adult length, and width at least 1ร—.

Ferguson Zone & UVB

The Ferguson Zone system categorizes reptiles by their natural UVB exposure needs, guiding lighting choices.

Zone 2 โ€” Occasional Basker

Temperate species benefit from low-to-moderate UVB (5โ€“6% T5). They bask intermittently and seek cover in foliage and leaf litter. Provide a gradient with both light and shaded zones.

Zone 1

Crepuscular / Shade

Zone 2

Occasional Basker

Zone 3

Open Sun Basker

Zone 4

Full Sun Lover

Temperature Gradient

basking surface

85โ€“90ยฐF (29โ€“32ยฐC)

warm ambient

75โ€“82ยฐF (24โ€“28ยฐC)

cool side

68โ€“75ยฐF (20โ€“24ยฐC)

Humidity

40โ€“60%

Lighting & Photoperiod

5โ€“6% T5 HO UVB bulb. Halogen or incandescent basking bulb. 12 hr photoperiod in summer, 8โ€“10 hr in winter to simulate seasonal changes.

Heating

Overhead basking bulb. Ceramic heat emitter or heat mat for supplemental warmth if ambient drops too low, especially for tropical temperate species.

Decor & Furnishings

  • โ€ขCork bark hides and logs
  • โ€ขLive or artificial plants (Spider Plant, Ferns)
  • โ€ขLeaf litter (oak, maple) for natural cover
  • โ€ขRocks for basking and structure
  • โ€ขShallow water dish

Setup Notes

Some temperate species benefit from a brumation (cooling) period in winter โ€” research species-specific needs. Maintain moderate humidity with occasional misting. Leaf litter enriches bioactive setups.