Description
- Common Name: Nilgiri Salea or Horsfield’s Spiny Lizard
- Scientific Name: Salea horsfieldii
- Locality/Morph: Wild Type
- Sex: Sexed Pair
- Age: 2025
- Source: Captive Bred
- Native Range: India—Western Ghats of southern India
- Natural Habitat: Montane forests and high-altitude grasslands; often found on moss-covered rocks, tree trunks, and low shrubs; diurnal and slow-moving; primarily terrestrial but may climb low vegetation
- Diet: Small live insects—crickets, locusts, small roaches, and other arthropods
- Basking Temperature: 28–32°C
- Ambient Temperature: 22–26°C (cooler nights 18–20°C)
- Average Adult Size: 18–25 cm total length
Horsfield’s Spiny Lizard (Salea horsfieldii) is a medium-sized, slow-moving agamid with a distinctive spiny texture along the dorsal surface. Its stunning colouration comprised of greens, browns, and greys, provides excellent camouflage against mossy rocks and the forest floor; allowing it to remain inconspicuous whilst being active during daylight hours.
This species is oviparous, laying small clutches of eggs that develop in the soil or hidden under leaf litter. In captivity, careful attention to humidity, temperature, and nesting substrate can facilitate successful breeding.
In the wild, S. horsfieldii occupies montane forest floors and rocky slopes, often seeking shelter under rocks, fallen branches, or dense vegetation. Captive enclosures should replicate this environment with vertical and horizontal climbing options, rocky hiding spots, and moss or soil substrate. Moderate humidity of 60–80% and well-regulated temperature gradients are essential to mimic their natural habitat.
Salea horsfieldii feeds primarily on small insects. A varied diet of crickets, locusts, and other small arthropods, supplemented with calcium and vitamins, supports growth and reproduction. Being diurnal, feeding is best done during daylight hours when the lizard is most active.
Horsfield’s Spiny Lizards are best left in their enclosure and appreciated for their natural behaviours, including basking, climbing, and hunting. Their unique appearance makes them a captivating species for observation in well-maintained, species-appropriate enclosures. One for the experienced enthusiast!
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
