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 11 h 55 m; T5 UVB 9 h 55 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 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
Recovery / rainfall shift
Tropical moist and wet riparian forest - Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama; usually close to permanent rivers, streams and lagoons
27-30 CDay ambient
23-24 CNight
37-40 CBasking
3T5 UVI*
11 h 55 mPhotoperiod
9 h 55 mT5 UVB duration
70-85 / 85-95%RH day / night*
Mist 1-2x/day; 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 | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 11 h 40 m | 9 h 40 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; pool always | 4 | High-rain recovery / conditioning |
| February | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 11 h 50 m | 9 h 50 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist 1-2x/day; pool always | 4 | Conditioning / courtship |
| March | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 05 m | 10 h 5 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist 1-2x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Courtship / early laying |
| April | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 20 m | 10 h 20 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist 1-2x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / laying |
| May | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3-4 | 12 h 35 m | 10 h 35 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2-3x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Rain rising / laying |
| June | 28-30 C | 24-25 C | 38-40 C | 3-4 | 12 h 40 m | 10 h 40 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2-3x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying / incubation |
| July | 28-30 C | 24-25 C | 38-40 C | 3-4 | 12 h 35 m | 10 h 35 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2-3x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Laying / incubation |
| August | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 37-40 C | 3-4 | 12 h 25 m | 10 h 25 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; moist nest | 4-5 | Laying / hatching |
| September | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 12 h 10 m | 10 h 10 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist 1-2x/day; pool always | 4 | Late laying / hatching |
| October | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 37-40 C | 3 | 11 h 55 m | 9 h 55 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Mist 1-2x/day; pool always | 4 | Recovery / rainfall shift |
| November | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 11 h 40 m | 9 h 40 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; pool always | 3-4 | High-rain recovery |
| December | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 11 h 35 m | 9 h 35 m | 75-90 / 90-100% | Mist 2x/day; pool always | 3-4 | High-rain 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
Large, fast riparian basilisk of tropical moist/wet forest. For one adult use about 180 x 90 x 180 cm or larger; a breeding pair/group benefits from about 240 x 120 x 200 cm or more. Provide strong branches, dense visual barriers and multiple elevated 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 stagnant warm pools.
Heat and UVB
Maintain 26-30 C daytime air with much cooler shaded areas and a strictly local 36-40 C basking surface. UVI about 2-3 at the main perch, with optional access toward 4 for large adults, is a conservative captive starting target rather than a direct species-specific field measurement.
Humidity and rainfall
Aim roughly 70-90% daytime RH, rising strongly overnight, while maintaining vigorous ventilation. Use rainfall intensity as the main seasonal cue. Exposed branches should periodically dry between misting events even though humid retreats and permanent water remain available.
Seasonality
Do not brumate. Use a modestly lighter-rain February-April phase followed by stronger rains from roughly May-August and renewed high humidity toward November-January. Adjust to known locality because Caribbean lowland sites may remain wet much of the year.
Diet
Animal-biased omnivore. Rotate gut-loaded roaches, crickets, locusts, silkworms, earthworms and snails, with occasional small fish or other appropriate whole prey. Offer modest amounts of soft fruit, edible flowers and leafy plant material as secondary foods.
Breeding and incubation
Captive records report roughly 4-17 eggs, often in repeated clutches, with most laying from February-September. Smithsonian records 15-17 eggs in well-grown females. Use a deep lightly moist nest. A conservative incubation start is 27-28 C; specialist records give about 65-75 days at this temperature.
Keeper warning
Green basilisks are fast and collision-prone. Maintain visual cover, prevent persistent male harassment and never combine high humidity with poor ventilation. Check water quality daily and keep a deep diggable moist nest available to mature females.