Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been thinking about getting a collared. Not sure what kind yet, but they seem really cool to have. Anyone know about how much they may cost? I know it depends on what kind but just a general price would help. Also if anyone has any good care sheets that would be greatly apprecaited as i want to take the best care of my lizard as possible. Thanks everyone.

Try this site

www.collaredlizard.com/pricelist.htm

Learux

Thanks, that site was helpful.

I haven't really edited it, so anyone...feel free to critique and edit as you will.

John Eddington

Collared Care

Start out by making a decision on what type of collared you are wanting to get...they range in price, probably anywhere from $10 all the way to around $250 for some of the harder to comeby species. This just gives you some perspective on total cost. I would highly recommend a reputable breeder rather than buying a wildcaught animal. When you see them on the net, always inquire where the animal came from. You won't want to start out with a potentially parasite infested stressed out lizard.

Next, If you are only going to house one, think about purchasing a 30 gallon LONG tank, with a nice wire mesh top...I really like the tough tops that are advertised on many online pet supply stores. Might as well work from the top down...I like to get at least two incandescent light domes that will hold 100 watt bulbs (just normal household bulbs). I also like to have at least one fluorescent fixture for the tank...I put mine IN THE TANK. To do this, I make two stacks of rocks (flat rocks) about 16" apart. I then span these rocks with the fluorescent light. Oh yea. I replace the light with a Reptisun 5.0 UVB bulb. I also remove the protective covering from the fixture.

For the substate, I use a couple inches of washed, pre-sterilized children,s playsand is perfect, and only a few dollars for an adequate amount.
Before I put in the sand, I always put 2-4 bricks on the bottom of the tank to serve as solid structures for the collareds to dig under. Without a good footing, the lizards can and will dig under a rock which could fall on them, or pin them down.

The stacks of rocks I place ontop of the bricks. I like to get them approx. 6-7" from the top of the screen, and directly under the incandescent fixtures. I monitor the temp of the rocks with an accurate thermometer, and try to shoot for 105 F (40C). Too hot? I lower the stack...too cool, I raise it some. Do this before introducting the lizards, as you don't want to be arranging rocks with them in there. The second stack of rocks, I make a bit lower, and try to get a bit lower temperature basking site. No need to measure the temp. If it is the same wattage bulb, just make the stack a couple inches shorter.

I try to make sure the lizards have a place to hideout. This usually just consists of a space between the bottom bricks...I try to leave the sand out from between the supporting bricks for them to hide in. That is really about it for environment.
For food, I feed crickets, mealworms, superworms regularly. In the spring/summer, I will give them whatever I catch outside as well (grasshoppers, spiders, moths, flies...whatever). Some people have great success feeding the lizards some greens or flowers as well. I have not tried too often personally.

Are they able to be handled...yea some have different personalities though. some are very compramising, and others seem to want nothing to do with us. Even if they bite, they usually will lose that attitude once they realize we are no threat to them.
How long do they live? Good question. I have heard stories of up to 15 years or more. Probably on the average, I'd say 5-7. In the pet trade, more like 6 months to a year.
I hope that helped you out a bit!

and nesting boxes if anyone is interested.

John

I'm sure it is very well done Eve

n/m

I could not resist Mr. Eddington ! Eve