Posted by:
ingo
at Thu Jun 26 01:45:22 2003 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by ingo ]
Thats a lot: Ok, I give a short care sheet:
Adults reach a SVL of 6.5 (females) to 8 (males) inches. The tail has twice this size. Some giant specimens reach lengths up to almost 3 ft. There are two subspecies: Timon lepidus lepidus and Timon lepidus nevadensis, which is less colourful and bigger. They need a semi dry setups with lots of rocks to climb on. To my opinion, a 400 to 500 gallon tank covering an aerea of at least 3 x 4 ft is the minimum enclosure size. They need hot and bright (metal halides) basking spots and a cooler and slightly moister area to chill down and for sleeping. For breeding and healthy growth 4-8 weeks of hibernation in the cold are essential.
They grow quickly and can reach a total length of 1.5 ft in their first year if fed (too) much. Also if fed (too) much they can produce fertile eggs within their first year but normally they lay their first clutch after their second hibernation. But they still grow until they are 3-5 years old. They are voracious feeders, which feed on all time of feeder insects and vertebrates and also take small maounts of veggies and fruit. Good calcium/virtamien supplements are essential for breeding. Clutches range from 6 to more than 20 eggs. At constantly 81 F, eggs need roughly three months till they hatch.
Hope that helps
Ingo
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