Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm quite new to all reptiles really, and just began the hobby 3 weeks ago today. I've had all types of exotic tropical fish over the past 13 years, and decided to move on to something new.

I've always had a passion for reptiles, but never actually got one. 3 weeks ago I bought my first - A female Rainbow Uromastyx.

Today I bought my second, a Madagascan Four Lined Plated Lizard. He's almost a foot in length, and is doing well. I was told they eat some veggies, and crickets with cricket dust. I threw some crickets in tonight after I brought him home, and he hunted them down quickly.

The tank temperature is at about 90F.

Does anyone have any care tips for this species? Anything at all would be appreciated. I have been researching them for the past few days, but haven't found very much. I have a few books I've also been looking through, but haven't found much either.

Thank you,
Cory

They live a life almost comparable to that of a sandfish.
That means they need a high layer of dust free round grained sand and they will spend most of the time buried and swimming around under the surface.
Anyhow, they´l come out for basking and hunting from time to time.
A Hot basking spot with temperatures exceeding 110 F is recommended. Also you should use metal halides to provide apt light intensities. The sand has to be heatd by several spots to enable thermoregulation of the lizards within the sand.
To allow them to keep their scales shining and glossy , a portion of the tank should be filled with a moderately moist non sandy substrate liek bark mulcgh /Potting soil.
They are voracious feders which have a tendency to obesity-so do nort overfeed.

Hope that helps

Ingo

Thanks Ingo!

I went today and got a larger bulb for the tank. The temp is now at 102F (basking spot). And the tank he is in is only temporary, until the wall unit is done. When I set up his new enclosure in a week, I'll be sure to put an area of potting soil.

Thanks Again,
Cory