| general
|
| description |
Sceloporus
species are small lizards and extremely popular in the
pet trade. Markings and coloration varies, but most have
keeled scales and many exhibit strong sexual dimorphism. |
| distribution |
U.S.A. and Mexico to South America |
| species
& size |
clarki (Clark's
spiny lizard) 4.5"
cyanogenys (blue spiny lizard) 14.25"
jarrovi (Yarrow's spiny lizard) 5"
magister (desert spiny lizard) 13"
malachitus (malachite spiny lizard, emerald swift) 5"
occidentalis (Western fence lizard) 3.5"
orcutti (Granite spiny lizard) 4.5"
nelsoni (Nelson's spiny lizard) 6"
poinsetti (crevice spiny lizard) 11.5"
undulatus (Eastern fence lizard) 7.25" |
| housing |
| natural
habitats |
Terrestrial;
Hot rocky regions to forested areas |
| cage
|
Inside it
should be various sizes of rocks. Project the basking
spot upon a rock is preferable. (e.g. Wooden
Terrarium, Glass
Terrarium) |
| substrate |
fine sand
(e.g. Repti sand,
Calci-Sand),
gravel |
| activity
period |
Daytime (diurnal);
12 - 14 hours each day with direct natural sunlight or
UV lamp (e.g. ReptiSun 5.0,
UV Heat Bulb) |
| temperature |
38 - 43 ¢XC -- basking
spot (e.g. Basking
Spot Lamp)
29 - 35 ¢XC -- cooler area (e.g. Daylight
Blue Bulb)
18 - 24 ¢XC -- at night (e.g. Nightlight
Red Bulb, Infrared
Heat Lamp, Ceramic
Heat Emitter) |
| humidity |
30 - 40 % |
| water
dish |
A small water dish (e.g.
Rock water dish)
can be left in the cage |
| hiding
place |
Possibllites
include caves (e.g. Habba
Hut, Heat Cave), etc |
| diet |
| diet |
Insectivorous (insects-eating);
provide a variety of powdered and/or gut-loaded insects
and never offer mealworms as the main portion of the diet |
| reproduction |
| reproduction
|
Some species
(S. poinsetti, S. malachitus) are ovoviviparous, meaning
that they bear live young. Always remove babies from the
cage once the female has given birth. The rest are oviparous,
or egg-layers. Clutches range in size from 4-12 eggs,
and 1-3 clutches may occur each year. Eggs should be incubated
at 30 degrees celcius for approximately 45 days |
