Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need some help. I'm a PhD student at the University of Kentucky. In the next few weeks I will be starting work on the European wall lizard, Podarcis muralis. I will be collecting about 40 or so individuals from the Cincinnati area. I'm having some issues with the logistics of housing this many individuals. I will only keep one per 10 gallon aqaurium. We have plenty of these aquaria around the lab, but not much else. Please keep in mind that I am a student. I am paying for all of this out of my own pocket until I can hopefully get some grant money. Think budget for a starving grad student...

Lighting/Heat - This is a tricky issue. I don't know if I need to provide UVB or not. These lizards will only be kept for about 8 months. Then the state and the university require that I euthanize them (rightfully so) because they are an invasive species. Although I am only doing some behavioral observations of social structure, it is not responsible to release these individuals. Any ideas if there will be negative effects of insufficient lighting in this time frame? The problem here is cost. I can place the tanks closely together so 1 light can hit 1 corner of 4 tanks. I need a cost effective way to fulfill light/heat requirements for all these lizards. I have seen the light domes at pet stores before (I have worked with fish for many years, but this will be my first experience with reptiles). Are these really any different than cheaper domes at home depot? I apologize for the ignorance here. I consider my expertise to be social structure, not lizards themselves. Any help in putting all this together is greatly appreciated.

First of all...I'm not a scientist and I have never kept this particular species but I have kept many that would have similar requirements and raised/hatched/bred/etc lizards for over 20 years. All I can tell you is that all the dirunal (awake/active during the day) lizards that I know of that are insectivores or even omnivores need UVB light in order to produce D3(etc.) in order to use the calcium in the diet. If they can't use the calcium, they will likely develop bone issues and other problems well before the 8 months is up. Appropriate temperatures are also needed so that they can digest their food properly....which again is a health issue. I think that if the lizards are unhealthy its going to affect their behavior which is going to affect your studies.

UVB tube lights are what you will need unless you could provide exposure to direct sunlight (The UVB from either the sun or the bulb can not pass through glass or plastic.) You may or may not need spot lights for basking.

What I have told you above is just the tip of the iceberg...but don't get discouraged yet!

You need to provide calcium, vitamins and properly gutloaded insects if you want to keep these lizards healthy while doing your study. I'm willing to try to give you more information on this because I like to see studies suceed...but right now, I have to sign off. I'll be back later!