Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi! my fiance and I just bought a 1:1 pair, pry 6-8" long... reputable dealer who got them from someone who was moving. The female (she's smaller, tho brighter, and has smaller femoral pores...tho we arn't 100% positive...) has a thin tail base for now, but I'm about to start feeding her separately to make sure she gets enough - plus dusting...

Now, the question is should we hibernate/brumate either of them in a few weeks once they are stable? or should we wait til next year?

Also, what sort of set-ups would you all suggest we have for them? we got the present minimal set up with them, but... I want to do much more for them. I just don't know what all I should do - there's alot of conflicting info online. I know they need full UV lighting, basking/ hot spot and cool area, hiding spots... but for water? depth of substrate? substrate type? climbing area maybe? Thanks alot! my daughter (15 months) loves looking at them, and they are VERY tame and don't mind sitting around on shoulders at all, even if the girl likes exploring a bit too much... lol! ~me

I think you should fatten them up and think about brumation next year, welcome to the hang out

Cecil

ps. there's a rule here, you have to show pictures of new lizards or Mother Eve will get mad!!!
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1.1 Bearded Dragon (Drago,Medusa)
1.1 Desert Iguana(Dima, Dianne)
1.0 Green Iguana (Igor)-moved to my Sisters house
0.1.1 Chuckwalla (roxy,Little Chuckie)
1.3.5 Collared Lizard (Fred, Wilma, Betty, Pebbles #1,2,3,4,5, KND)
1.1 Desert Leopard Lizard (Simba, Kimba)
0.1 AZ. MTN. Kingsnake (Nimo)
1.0 Coatal Rosy Boa (Greer)
0.1 Hamster (Tofu)
1.1 Kids
0.1 Wife

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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Welcome, glad to have you here, the collareds too, Yep, Cecils right, we love pics here, so when ya get a chance we would love to see your lil friends.

Okay to try and answer some of your questions, If they remain thin, especially in the tail base, (where fat reserves usually are) then I would hold off trying to brumate. Not worth losing them. ONLY if they really beef up would I consider it.

Substrate alot of us here use (washed) play sand from home depot/lowes 50 lb bag for about 4.99 or less. I use about 2-3 inches for older collareds. Paper towels for hatchlings and young kids.

As far as water always keep it available. Some people use eye dropper and drip it on the snout. Some let an ice cube melt on screen top and drip down onto a rock. I personally use shallow saucers for older collareds, I teach my hatchlings and youngster to drink from the get go, out of very shallow yogart type plastic lids, so shallow they can walk through it(thats the point, they get used to it, and learn to drink.

As far as lighting, yep, heat light and a UVB flouresant or mercury vapor light. Basking spot should be 100 - 105 degrees, 110 is acceptable . The rest of the tank should be in the high 80's to 90.

I can't remember if you asked anything else, hehehhee, just yell if you need any help, people here are SUPER NICE.

Enjoy the forum!
Collareds/ Care and More

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PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

Thanks everyone! Whatever help you give I greatly appreciate. Tony (my fiance) is gonna build a new cage for Spike and Jewel, so we're trying to design it. We just moved ourselves, so when we find the cord to put pics up we'll give em! I think they are probably only hatched this summer, tho we don't know... but Jewel does have an appitite if you let her feed freely - right now the crickets hide under the wooden hide, so we're collecting some good solid rocks for basking and I'll make some into a cemented hide or two... Anyhoo, thanks & we look forward to talking more! ~me