Post by elizabeth on Oct 26, 2004 8:50:56 GMT -5
Collared Lizard
Crotaphytus collaris
Size: 8 to 14 inches
Description: A lizard with a long tail with an oversize head and 2 black collars across back of neck. Color varieties can be yellow, greenish, brownish, or bluish with light spots. The Collared runs on its hind legs this is not often seen in captivity since their enclosures are generally not large enough for this running. Their range is North America.
Enclosure Info: For the Collared the rule of thumb is about 10 gallon tank for every Collared, so you could house 2 in a 20 gal and 3 in a 30 gallon etc. One source has that rock or gravel would be a good substrate for this particular lizard another suggests play or beach sand, as they like to bury him or herself in it. There needs to be a hide spot provided for them, it is suggested however not to place large heavy rocks in which they can burrow under and get themselves trapped.
Temperatures:
Daytime temps: 75 to 90 degrees F
Basking spot: 95 to 104 degrees F
Nighttime temps: 70 to 85 degrees F
The collared needs the thermal gradient to be able to move from a hot spot to a cool spot in their tank. The thermal gradient should extend both in a horizontal and vertical direction. A higher basking spot should be provided for them. If the necessary high temperatures are not met they wont feed properly.
Lights: You can provide their higher temp basking spots with a 60 to 100 watt bulb. A night heating light or Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) might be called for in order to keep their tank temp from dropping too low dependant upon the surrounding room temperature. They also need UVB lighting provided for them. This helps with their calcium metabolism as well as the heating.
Feeding: The young lizard should be started on crickets and freshly molted worms, and larger Collareds can be feed small rodents (pinks to small mice). Most will also take greens and vegetables try to use high calcium and other nutritious foods such as collard greens, mustard greens, figs, raspberries, papaya, and mango. They tend to be aggressive feeders, and will possibly eat any small vertebrate, including other lizards and snakes that they can over power. So it is not suggested to house them with other reptiles.
They are a desert dwelling reptile and so it is suggested to offer them water in a shallow dish and dripping or misting in their enclosure a few times a week.
**NOTE**This is a basic care sheet for the Collared lizard, there is more information out there to be read about them and it is encouraged as with any pet that you research them. Be sure to see your herp vet for a checkup!!**
Crotaphytus collaris
Size: 8 to 14 inches
Description: A lizard with a long tail with an oversize head and 2 black collars across back of neck. Color varieties can be yellow, greenish, brownish, or bluish with light spots. The Collared runs on its hind legs this is not often seen in captivity since their enclosures are generally not large enough for this running. Their range is North America.
Enclosure Info: For the Collared the rule of thumb is about 10 gallon tank for every Collared, so you could house 2 in a 20 gal and 3 in a 30 gallon etc. One source has that rock or gravel would be a good substrate for this particular lizard another suggests play or beach sand, as they like to bury him or herself in it. There needs to be a hide spot provided for them, it is suggested however not to place large heavy rocks in which they can burrow under and get themselves trapped.
Temperatures:
Daytime temps: 75 to 90 degrees F
Basking spot: 95 to 104 degrees F
Nighttime temps: 70 to 85 degrees F
The collared needs the thermal gradient to be able to move from a hot spot to a cool spot in their tank. The thermal gradient should extend both in a horizontal and vertical direction. A higher basking spot should be provided for them. If the necessary high temperatures are not met they wont feed properly.
Lights: You can provide their higher temp basking spots with a 60 to 100 watt bulb. A night heating light or Ceramic Heat Emitter (CHE) might be called for in order to keep their tank temp from dropping too low dependant upon the surrounding room temperature. They also need UVB lighting provided for them. This helps with their calcium metabolism as well as the heating.
Feeding: The young lizard should be started on crickets and freshly molted worms, and larger Collareds can be feed small rodents (pinks to small mice). Most will also take greens and vegetables try to use high calcium and other nutritious foods such as collard greens, mustard greens, figs, raspberries, papaya, and mango. They tend to be aggressive feeders, and will possibly eat any small vertebrate, including other lizards and snakes that they can over power. So it is not suggested to house them with other reptiles.
They are a desert dwelling reptile and so it is suggested to offer them water in a shallow dish and dripping or misting in their enclosure a few times a week.
**NOTE**This is a basic care sheet for the Collared lizard, there is more information out there to be read about them and it is encouraged as with any pet that you research them. Be sure to see your herp vet for a checkup!!**