Lizards (General)

Establish a gradient from 90°–110°F on the hot side to 70°–80°F on the cool side. Maintain both ends at all times with heat lamps and/or heat pads.

Keep fresh water available at all times in a bowl on the cool side of the enclosure. Mist baby lizards and tropical species twice a day; mist desert species once a day.

Provide a hide spot on the hot side. Fill the enclosure with branches, rocks and plants for multiple basking and hiding spots. Make sure every piece is secure so nothing shifts or falls.

Enclosure size: not given in the source. Ask us for your species.

Tropical species: damp peat, coco products or fine orchid bark.

Desert species: fine sand, screened pine shavings or dry peat. Avoid cedar and other aromatic woods, which can be toxic.

Keep any wood chips small enough to pass if swallowed.

Feed babies daily on appropriately sized live insects (crickets, kingworms, wax worms). Adults take live or pre-killed rodents and/or vegetable matter daily or every other day. Don't overload the enclosure with live prey.

Lightly dust all food with a 50/50 mix of calcium and multivitamins at every feeding. Without them, lizards can develop vitamin or calcium deficiencies that can be fatal.

Full-spectrum light for 10 to 14 hours a day. It simulates sunlight, helps your lizard metabolize key vitamins and minerals, stimulates appetite and breeding behavior, and brings out color and activity. Mercury vapor bulbs and time in natural sunlight are worth considering. A thermostat adds safety and saves power.