Keeper timer setting
T5 UVB: one hour later on, one hour earlier off
ON: 1 hour after the daylight lights come on.
OFF: 1 hour before the daylight lights go off.
October: daylight 12 h 05 m; T5 UVB 10 h 5 m per day.
The T5 runs for two hours less than the total photoperiod. Example: daylight 08:00-20:00 means UVB 09:00-19:00. Keep the monthly UVI strength as listed beneath the tube. Existing care values are preserved.
UVI beneath the optional T5 tube
Working exposure targetOctober target at normal back height
UVI 2-3directly under the tube when it is on
The retained range remains a provisional captive working target. No new species-specific result was found that clearly requires a numerical change. Retaining it is not certification of an experimentally established optimum.
Your measuring point
Measure at the animal's normal back height directly beneath the brightest accessible part of the T5 strip, positioned toward the middle/back. The animal can enter and leave this area freely.
Keep a lower-UVI gradient and fully covered refuges near UVI 0. This is the optional exposure area, not the average across the cage.
Use a UV Index meter, such as a Solarmeter 6.5/6.5R. Warm the tube for about 30 minutes; keep reflector, guards and mesh in place. Raise or lower the fixture within its manufacturer's minimum-distance guidance, then recheck the reading and every higher accessible surface.
Evidence level: Provisional retention. These are working recommendations, often inferred; exact species optima and seasonal UV dose usually have not been measured. Log lamp-on time and animal behaviour as well as UVI.
Baines et al. (2016), UV-Tool ยท Muryn, Baines and Dishman (2026), Reptile Lighting Guide V10
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Late laying / hatching
Riparian lowland and lower-montane rainforest of eastern Panama, western Colombia and northwestern Ecuador; rivers, streams, lagoons, swamps and marshes
27-30 CDay ambient
23-24 CNight
36-39 CBasking
2-3T5 UVI*
12 h 05 mPhotoperiod
10 h 5 mT5 UVB duration
70-85 / 85-95%RH day / night*
Mist daily; pool alwaysSpray / water
4Food*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / water | Food* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 35-38 C | 2-3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; pool always | 4 | Wet season / conditioning |
| February | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 35-38 C | 2-3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; pool always | 4 | Wet season / conditioning |
| March | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2-3x/day; pool always | 4-5 | Courtship / breeding |
| April | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2-3x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / follicles |
| May | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / pre-laying |
| June | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying begins |
| July | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; moist nest | 4-5 | Laying / incubation |
| August | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; moist nest | 4-5 | Laying / incubation |
| September | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; moist nest | 4 | Laying / hatching |
| October | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; pool always | 4 | Late laying / hatching |
| November | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 35-38 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist daily; pool always | 3-4 | Recovery / rain rising |
| December | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 35-38 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 1-2x/day; pool always | 3-4 | Wet-season recovery |
Keeper notes
Use measured gradients and animal behaviour, not single thermostat readings
T5 UVI measurement
Measure UVI at normal back height directly beneath the brightest accessible part of the optional T5 strip. Place the strip toward the middle/back with free access to and away from it; preserve a gradient into fully covered refuges near UVI 0. These numbers describe the exposure area, not the whole enclosure or a daily average.
UVI review
The retained range remains a provisional captive working target. No new species-specific result was found that clearly requires a numerical change. Retaining it is not certification of an experimentally established optimum.
Habitat and enclosure
A fast territorial riparian basilisk. For one adult use about 180 x 90 x 180 cm or larger; a breeding pair benefits from about 220-240 x 120 x 200 cm or more. Provide strong branches, dense visual barriers and multiple escape routes. Never house adult males together.
Swimming water
Provide permanent water large enough for full submersion, turning and short swimming, with broad easy exits and branches over the water. Filter strongly, remove faeces promptly and change water frequently. Water around 24-27 C is suitable; avoid warm stagnant pools.
Heat and UVB
Field animals have been recorded active at ambient temperatures around 20-29 C and thermal ecology varies with altitude. Use 26-30 C active-season air with a local 35-40 C basking surface and extensive shaded retreats. UVI about 2-3 at the main perch is a conservative operational starting target.
Humidity and rainfall
Aim roughly 70-90% daytime RH through wetter periods, rising overnight, while maintaining strong ventilation. A modestly drier phase can fall toward 65-80% daytime RH but must retain humid retreats and permanent water. Exposed branches and basking surfaces should dry between misting events.
Seasonality
Do not brumate. For unknown-origin stock use a wetter December-May phase and modestly drier June-November phase, but note that Choco populations can experience heavy rain all year. If locality is known, match that origin rather than forcing this generic calendar.
Diet
Omnivorous but strongly animal-oriented. Published field records include insects, crabs, small lizards, frogs, fish, seeds, fruit and leaves. Rotate gut-loaded roaches, crickets, locusts, silkworms, earthworms and occasional snails; use fruit and edible flowers as secondary foods.
Breeding and incubation
Natural-history sources report 3-15 eggs and roughly four months to hatching in the wild. Specialist captive records report most laying from June-October, commonly 5-10 eggs, and 69-88 days at 28 C. A conservative incubation starting point is 27.5-28.5 C in evenly moist aerated medium.
Keeper warning
Western basilisks are fast and collision-prone. Prevent repeated male harassment of females, maintain exceptional water hygiene and do not combine high humidity with stagnant air. Avoid uniform enclosure heat; the species actively thermoregulates and needs cool shaded retreat options.