Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
I have a pair oF Mails im going to try to breed this year. i read the Deer Fern Farms process and they say to bring the temp to 80-85 degrees for 2 hours a day to ensure that the food in there stomachs gets processed. The thing is my 2 uros sleep underground and ushually dont come out for a good 2 hours after i turn the lights on. So if i turn the lights on for 2 hours to bring the temp up and they stay underground where its colder will they get sick from not basking? I could leave the lights on for 4 hours but Deer Fern says to do it for 2. Any ideas?
Thanks!

How far underground are they? I think that you don't have to be too rigid. I know that Doug Dix tries different things and he probably gave this advice just as a general guideline for the general public. I didn't turn lights on for my geyri (I bought from him) last year, but I let them start brumating naturally. They were by a window, and they went with the natural daylight trends. I tend to go with the lizard's natural instinct. If they don't come out, they must not be needing to digest. I think that a lizard with a full stomach would not choose to sit underground in the cold if it had warmth up above as an option. He is assuming they are eating, too, if they need to be digesting. So, if they aren't eating, then you don't have to worry about it. -Lucy

Cool, thanks Lucy!