Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey i have a male great basin collared lizard that looks skinny and lethargic.He is active, eats a lot and poops regularly.He is housed with two female great basins. I just want to know whats wrong. I want him to be big and fat. Does any one know what to do? thanks all

Well it could be a couple of different things but we need to know some additional information.

1. What size and type of enclosure?

2. What are the temperatures and type of bulb being used?

3. Have you had a fecal test done on him?

4. What is their diet?

5. What type of substrate are you using?

I really can't think of anything else to ask others may have questions for you.

Well my tank size is a thirty gallon.Right now the temperatures are between 70-80 degrees, but in the summer i have it about in the 90's.Ive never done a fecal test.His diet includes crickets, grasshoppers and peices of romaine lettuce.The substrate i use is the sand from home depot. Thanks

Are you using uvb?
Do you have a basking spot set up?
What are you using to measure temps?

You really should think about geting them into a larger tank. That tank size is so small for one collared, much less three, that he could be super stressed. You also must set up a basking spot with a surface temp of 100-110 measured with a reliable thermometer like a temp gun. Then they need a cool side ranging in the 70-80s.

What are you feeding them, how much, and how often?

So what size tank should i use?

thanks

I wouldn't house them in anything smaller thana 40-50 breeder. Then you must get a good UVB source or they will develop MBD. If you get a bigger tank, the Mercury Vapor bulbs are the best you can buy. I use megarays. You can also use a flourescent tube, but stick with the reptisun 10 or 8, or reptiglo 8. The tens aren't good bulbs. If you use a florescent, you will need a good basking light. A halogen or bright regular household bulb will do.

You also need to keep careful track of your temps. they can't digest well without the proper basking temps, and cook and dehydrate if overall temps are too high.

Collareds also need hides, so if they get stressed they can retreat. Have you read a good care sheet? Do you use suppliments?

Well i use calcium on crickets.

Calcium is good, and some lizard species can absorb it without UVB as long as it has D3 in it, but collareds MUST have UVB in order to process it. Without UVB, its like not giving them any calcium at all.

Well, your setup could definitely be the problem. I would get them set up properly, and think about getting a fecal done.

Here is a really good care sheet written by our own mod, Eve. Its the one that I refer to the most!
http://www.suncharmers.com/id15.html