Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently hatched twelve baby P. cornutum, and I was hoping to get some advice on rearing baby horned lizards, for instance, enclosure size and food items. These guys are about three quarters of an inch long, and have thus far been getting pinhead crickets and fruit flies. I also hope to include termites in the diet as soon as I have the time to find some, and P. californicus and mini mealworms as soon as they get a bit larger. Any other recommendations? Also, how large of a terrarium should they be kept in? Thanks!

Please go to our site and read all you can take in. I have a pair of Phrynosma Solare and they are kept in a 40 gallon Glass terrerium. I wouldn't recommend any more than a trio in this size container. The bigger the better. I don't know what state your in, but humidity is an issue as well, and while I see that you are up to providing the proper foods, there is nothing that can take place of ants as their diet mainstay, if your going to keep these healthy then you need to provide ants. In Texas where I live near San Antonio we do have a good population of these, and I have examined the scat of these and they are mostly all ants with a few beatles and unidentifiable other insects. So in my humble opinion a prolonged diet of anthing else will not be condusive to good health husbandry, but that is just my opinion. ALso we get himidity here that is anywhere from 40-80%, and keeping these in a desert type set up is fine but there should be some humidity if this is an animal from Texas, I am not sure about humidity for those from New Mexico and Arizona. I do know this that too much moisture can also lead to respitory problems so it is a delicate balance. You might try seeing of they will drink from a water dropper. Otherwise occassionally spray the plants and rocks in a corner of the cage and see if they lick up the water. I would not try and winter neonates either, you need to keep the temps up through the winter. The basking site should be 105 or so and the ambiet temp aboput 85 or so on the cold side so they can regulate their body temps. Hope this helps........
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Phrynosoma.com

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signature file edited. [phw 11/14/04]

Thank you so much for your response. I am curious as to the dimensions of the tank you recommended, as I am using a flat vision reptile tub at the moment, and also as to how soon 3/4 inch juveniles must be set up in one such situation. I mean, I know that males will become territorial within the next few months, but when does this behavior become a problem? Also, I realize the ant thing could become an issue, and have a friend sending me a small species of Crematogaster for these guys (possible what you are seeing them eat in the wilds of Texas). As soon as they get to be a bit larger, I will be using P. californicus... Thanks!!