Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
My daughter has taken a liking to collareds and was wondering just how much personality they have, do they calm down after alot of handling?etc??
Thanks!
Bryan

Welcome to the boards and yes Collared's have plenty of personality and are natural entertainers. With the proper handling in a safe and secure are, away from cats, dogs, and other pets the collared's do become handle friendly. There are a few things that you have to research, such as housing, diet, heat/light, habitat substrate. I'll provide some insights but our resident Collared Lizard Whisperer, Eve, does lurk on these boards, she is very knowledgeable.

1. Cannot put two male lizards in the same cage, they are/can be territorial.

2. Starter cage would be 20 gallons and when they become adults move to a 40 gallon.

3. Diet consists of crickets, certain cockroaches, superworms, those that live over in Europe can feed them locusts. Water bowl is recommended.

4. Will need a heat and UVA/UVB lightsource.

5. Substrate, many have used clean/sifted play sand but some have moved over to critter carpet or tiles.

Other's I'm sure will post and add their thoughts.

Boost

Hi, welcome to the very quiet collared forum, lol. Boost gave a great post on all the needs of our little friends.

Now my take on collareds, Been keeping collareds as pets and working with them and breeding, probably 13 years now. I love them. My babys get used to beign picked up right after hatching. Most will just get into my palm and snuggle down when little. So as they grow they only get sweeter. They do like to bounce around and have fun, which like Boost said is fun to watch.

I will add this though they can be fragile as far as health if not pampered, taken care of well. By that I mean they are not a lizard to feed and forget. Need clean water daily so they do not get any bacterial type infections from dirty/feces in water. Tanks need to be cleaned and kept free of mess, lizard waste as well as any dead bugs, whatever. I also give mine a rinse off every week. Helps with shedding.

But they are gorgeous lizards and usually once you get one you will always have one or some :0)

I do have a few kids left that are sweet if you decide to get her one /looking for one.

Nice to have you here
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Eve
Suncharmers Colorful Collareds & More

Thanks to both of you!
One question...Do you have to hibernate them or can they stay warm all winter here in VA?
Bryan

You do not HAVE to brumate, especially if you just have one and not interested in mating/ breeding. As they get older and you get to know your collared, sometimes it is good for them to take a break and rest. But I never brumate my first year kids under 8 or 9 months old unless they insist ;0) by that I mean sometimes they just know it's that time of year and will go off under a rock and sleep more, only come out here and there. Also you never brumate sick, gravid, weak, or thin lizards, they just can't handle it.

But if you keep their lights going all day,and it stays warm enough most will stay up all winter, may slow some, eat less, sleep more, but usually will come out to bask.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, hehheheee I'm in NJ right above you and many of mine are up during the winter as I have TOO many to brumate, I would have eggs out the wazoo if I did.
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Eve
Suncharmers Colorful Collareds & More