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Description
Dwarf Mountain Horned Dragon
Scientific Name: Acanthosaura lepidogaster
Common Name: Dwarf Mountain Horned Dragon, Dwarf Pricklenape
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) in total length, making them one of the smallest members of the Mountain Horned Dragon group.
Appearance: Dwarf Mountain Horned Dragons resemble their larger relatives but with a more compact build and proportionally shorter limbs. They display earthy brown, green, and grey tones with mottled or banded patterns for camouflage. A row of spines runs along the nape and back, and small, distinct “horns” are present above the eyes. Their smaller size, crisp patterning, and subtle colour shifts make them visually striking in planted enclosures.
Distribution: Native to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and surrounding regions.
Habitat: This species inhabits cool, humid, mid-elevation forests with abundant vegetation and shaded perching sites. They are typically found perched on slender branches and shrubs rather than large trees.
Behaviour: Dwarf Mountain Horned Dragons are diurnal and arboreal, spending much of their time perched motionlessly. They rely heavily on camouflage rather than fleeing. Their diet consists mainly of insects and other small invertebrates. They are generally calm but sensitive to environmental fluctuations, especially overheating or low humidity.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Provide a vertically oriented enclosure at least 36 × 18 × 36 inches (90 × 45 × 90 cm) for an adult or a pair. This size supports ample climbing space, cool forest airflow, and dense planting. Include thin and medium branches, vines, cork flats, elevated hides, and lush foliage to mimic their natural understory environment.
Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 85 to 90°F (29 to 32°C)
Ambient daytime temperature: 72 to 80°F (22 to 27°C)
Night temperatures: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)
Humidity should remain high, between 70 and 90 percent, supported by regular misting and live plants.
Lighting: Provide full-spectrum lighting with moderate UVB (5 to 7 percent). They prefer diffused lighting rather than strong, direct basking.
Diet: Offer a varied insect diet including crickets, roaches, black soldier fly larvae, silkworms, small hornworms, and flies. Juveniles may need smaller feeders such as fruit flies. Supplement insects with calcium frequently and multivitamins weekly.
Behaviour in Captivity: Dwarf Mountain Horned Dragons are peaceful display reptiles that thrive in quiet, humid, heavily planted setups. Handling should be minimal, as they stress easily. When comfortable, they exhibit natural behaviours such as soft colour shifts, slow climbing, and careful insect hunting.
Special Considerations:
• Highly sensitive to overheating—avoid strong basking lights aimed directly at them.
• Require high humidity with good airflow to prevent fungal issues.
• Dense foliage and elevated perches are essential.
• Best kept as display animals with minimal handling.
Taxonomy Note
Ancanthosaura lepidogaster belongs to the genus Acanthosaura, a group of Southeast Asian agamid lizards adapted to cool, humid, forested environments. This species is among the smallest and most delicate in the genus.
Genetics Note
No morphs are recognized for this species. Natural variation includes differences in spine length, banding clarity, and subtle shade variations across individuals and geographic ranges.