Over the years I have kept as pets, and bred, and rescued many lizards. Many have been my beloved collareds in which I love to work with.

I would say in my experience with them ( I do not claim to be an expert as I NEVER stop learning) that they above many other species NEED UVB to maintain good health and to thrive in captivity!

I have seen collareds after NOT having UVB as youngsters, or adults not having it available and within a year sometimes sooner you will see things such as lameness, back humps, rickets/ walking with a weakened kind of wobble, dragging back legs, twitches, and seizures.
Females especially are prone to twitching during egg production/laying. So I would always suggest to anyone starting to work with these awesome lizards to most certainly use UVB. OR house outside where weather permits. I do not happen to be in an area where I can expose them to sunlight year round or even more than a few months during the year.

I also use lids,to keep them safe from things falling in on them by accident, cats/ dogs or any other threat. And to keep them in and safe from getting/ going where they may get hurt.

I teach my hatchlings or provide them with shallow plastic lids with water, so shallow they can walk through, so they are not afraid and soon within a day or so learn to drink. I use the shallow lids that come off yogart containers or coffee cans. No need for the ice or dixie cup with pin hole in bottom filled with water to drip down from screen top onto a rock. They learn to drink quickly with the shallow lid.

Over the years I have learned much, from friends, and from my lizards as well, I'm always open to new things, and suggestions as I said learning how to best take care of them should never really end, theres something new to deal with everytime ya think you have it all down I however DO and will continue to use UVB and teach others that ask about collared care that unless they can provide outside sunlight each day or atleast 3 times a week, they should use UVB strip /flouresant light or Mercury vapor Bulb.

This is not just my opinion but what I have seen over the years with and without UVB use for collareds.

Collared Care/ FAQ

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Eve
Suncharmers