Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Collared lizzard community,
I purchased a texas collared lizzard this past summer from a local pet store. She lives in my office in a 20 gallon aquarium with a vita light for lighting , an under the tank heat pad and a 60 watt bulb for extra heat. Her perches offer thermal gradients . She has done well and has been eating ravinously up until this past week and a half. The temperature in her aquarium ranges from 78-93 degrees and we feed her 6 medium-sized crickets per day (2 dusted with calcium powder every day). Lately she has not been racing to chase down her food, but will watch it and capture it later. She also has been seen with her mouth open while sitting on her log under her lights. Her behavior is slightly dull, and I am not certain if I am imagining it but it appears that her eyes may be slightly sunken...it is very hard to tell. She is still active during the day. Any advise or sugestions is appreciated. Thanks in advance,
H.Kwaz

I certainly hope shes fine. Her temps could be higher. Collareds like it hot 100 - 105 in basking area and the rest of tank should be in high 80's - 90

This time of year is when alot of collareds (brumate) hybernate so to speak, sleep for awhile or slow down with their regular eating habits. Sometimes just appear tierd, not quite as energetic. Its normal provided all else is fine.

If she is not losing weight, I would not be to concerned right now. Just continue to keep an eye on her.

As far as sitting under her light with mouth open, this is also normal.
It is called (Gaping) kind of like a dog panting, its how they cool themselves.

Hey post a pic sometime of her, we love to see them all.
Stick around, nice to meet a new forum buddy ! *SMILE*

Eve

I would swap out the log basking area for a nice flat decorative rock. I like to place two bricks on the bottom, then sand filled to the height of the bricks, then a nice flat rock across the bricks. The sand will hide the bricks, and the rocks will serve a three-fold purpose.

1)...It will server as a nice shelter during the night, because your collared will dig under it.

2)...It will absorb much better heat than wood. Take the temps on the rock and try to get 105-110 on the rock itself. You may just see an increase in appetite again.

3)...Also, the rock can be a great place for the collared to drink. I always drip water onto a flat rock into my cage. I either use a cup with a tiny pin-sized hole, or simply put a few ice cubes beneath my incandescent light fixture.

Give it a try,

John Eddington

Eve and John,
Thanks for the help! I checked my temperatures again in her enclosure and at the top of her log it was 104 degrees. She has various levels to climb on so she can cool down if she needs it. I do like the rock idea, that would hold in the heat during the night hours even though she has her heating pad going at all times. Guadeloupe sheds alot and I am wondering how often I should expect this? Is she too warm? Should I mist the tank periodically? Also, how often and how much should they be fed? I have read in care sheets that say the adults don't need to be fed every day. My little lizzard has always appeared so ravenous that I gave her 6 sometimes seven medium crickets per day. I'm wondering if that was too much? I gave her 4 yesterday and she ate them all but she doesn't have the immediate mad rush for them like she has in the past. You're help is appreciated! (Guadeloupe lives in a medical office and our patients are endeared to her. It's a major group effort to keep her happy and healthy!!)

:0) She lives in a medical office , thats nice.
As far as shedding alot, just means shes growing alot right now, its a good thing !

I mist mine when I see them shedding, a few good mists right on them, they usually do not like it, but it does aid them in getting the skin off quicker.

As far as how much and how often to eat, your call, everybody has their own thoughts, every otherday, whatever.

I personally, feed my guys everyday, a few crickets, and sometimes a superworm, if someone wants one, but I do offer, especially to growing collareds, and females breeding age.
If I have one that is quite young, he gets fed a few times a day.

IF they seem not interested, but you know they are fine and healthy, then you may let a day go by without, until they get real hungry !

They sometimes seem to get bored, hahaha like people with the same thing, catch a moth or 2 (that have not been treated with pesticides of course) and throw them in occasionally, watch the excitetment.

We have to see Guadeloupe, we get to know all the collared faces around here, Take care,

Eve