Keeper timer setting
T5 UVB: one hour later on, one hour earlier off
During active care — ON: 1 hour after daylight starts.
OFF: 1 hour before daylight ends.
During hibernation / full brumation: T5 UVB OFF (0 hours). In transition months, keep UVB off while dormant and use the active timer only once the animal is warmed and active.
October: daylight 10.5 h; T5 UVB 8 h 30 m.
The active T5 duration is the photoperiod minus two hours. Example: daylight 08:00–20:00 means UVB 09:00–19:00. Follow the monthly UVI strength measured beneath the tube and provide access to shade. This timing rule does not introduce hibernation for species whose schedule has only a mild or active winter rest. If an older combined heat / UV column is present, the new T5 UVB duration column governs UVB timing; existing heat settings 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 current saved sheet already contains the agreed optional-patch UVI 3-4 peak. Keep its corrected monthly schedule; do not apply the old UVI 1-2 interpretation again.
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: Previously agreed inferred working range. 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 · Muryn, Baines and Dishman (2026), Reptile Lighting Guide V10 · Vicenzi et al. (2020), Diplolaemus leopardinus field study
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Seasonal taper
Cold arid high-Andean valleys and rocky steppe - Mendoza and adjacent northwestern Patagonia
12-16 CDay ambient
6-9 CNight
31-34 C limitedBasking
2-3T5 UVI*
10.5 hPhotoperiod
8 h 30 mT5 UVB duration
Light local sprayMoisture
2-3Food offers*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | Moisture | Food offers* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6-9 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; dry refuges | None | Winter rest |
| February | 6-9 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; dry refuges | None | Winter rest |
| March | 8-12 C | 4-8 C | 30-33 C limited | 1-2 | 9 h | 7 h | Minimal local moisture | 1 late | Staged warm-up |
| April | 12-16 C | 6-9 C | 32-35 C | 2-3 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | Light local spray 1x/wk | 2-3 | Reconditioning / emergence |
| May | 15-19 C | 8-11 C | 33-36 C | 3-4 | 12 h | 10 h | Mostly dry; water always | 3-4 | Full activity / courtship watch |
| June | 17-21 C | 9-12 C | 34-37 C | 3-4 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Mostly dry | 4-5 | Peak activity / mating watch |
| July | 18-22 C | 10-13 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | Dry; water always | 4-5 | Peak activity / egg development |
| August | 17-21 C | 9-12 C | 34-37 C | 3-4 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Local moist nest zone | 4-5 | Nesting / egg-laying watch |
| September | 15-19 C | 8-11 C | 33-36 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | Local nest moisture only | 3-4 | Post-lay / late activity |
| October | 12-16 C | 6-9 C | 31-34 C limited | 2-3 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | Light local spray | 2-3 | Seasonal taper |
| November | 8-12 C | 4-8 C | 30-32 C limited | 1-2 | 9 h | 7 h | Minimal | 1 then stop | Cooling |
| December | 6-9 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; dry refuges | None | Winter rest |
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 current saved sheet already contains the agreed optional-patch UVI 3-4 peak. Keep its corrected monthly schedule; do not apply the old UVI 1-2 interpretation again.
Identity and range
Diplolaemus leopardinus is a valid Leiosauridae species of the central Andes and northwestern Patagonia. Modern thermal studies used animals from Angostura Valley, Mendoza, at about 2405 m, and other records exceed 1800-2600 m.
Habitat and climate
The species occupies cold arid high-Andean valleys, sub-Andean grass steppe, rocky deposits and scree, using deep burrows under rocks and shrubs. At Angostura the mean annual temperature is about 6.1-6.3 C and winter minima reach about -15.5 C in the wild.
Thermal management
Direct measurements found active body temperature about 26.7 C, preferred temperature about 30.9 C and operative environmental temperature about 19.4 C. Keep ambient air cool and use locally heated rock surfaces rather than warming the whole enclosure.
T5 placement and choice
The T5 UVB strip is positioned towards the back of the enclosure. Animals can enter the illuminated area voluntarily and leave it freely. Keep open shade and fully covered retreats available, including refuges measuring approximately UVI 0.
What the UVI column means
Every value is the provisional target at the animal's normal back height directly beneath the brightest accessible part of the T5 tube. It describes the optional exposure zone, not an enclosure average or a reading taken on the bare floor. Check all higher accessible surfaces after adjusting the tube.
UV evidence and seasonality
For full activity in May-August, use a provisional under-tube range of UVI 3-4, starting near 3 and adjusting gradually. This is an inference from habitat use and generic sunbeam guidance of UVI 3-5, not a validated requirement for this species. The lower transition-month settings are also inferred; they are not measured wild monthly UVI. Strong mountain sunlight and movement between exposed rocks, shade and shelters support offering a defined exposure gradient. Altitude alone does not establish the required captive UVI.
Measure and adjust
Use a meter that displays UV Index, for example a Solarmeter 6.5 or 6.5R. Allow the tube to warm up for about 30 minutes; measure with the installed reflector and any mesh in place. Hold the sensor at normal dorsal height, aimed towards the tube. Raise or lower the fixture to reach the seasonal target while respecting its manufacturer's minimum distance. Recheck after every change.
Year-round monitoring
Record the date, UVI, measuring position, tube-to-back distance, tube age and lamp-on hours. Recheck at seasonal changes and after moving furnishings, cleaning, replacing the tube or changing a reflector or mesh. Keep UV exposure voluntary and record basking and retreat use. A broadband UVB reading in microwatts per square centimetre is not interchangeable with UVI.
Diet
Published accounts describe carnivory dominated by insects and other invertebrates, with saurophagy and cannibalism also reported. Base captive feeding on varied gut-loaded invertebrates; routine live-lizard feeding is unnecessary.
Breeding evidence
Oviparity is confirmed, but species-specific clutch size, nesting dates and incubation temperatures remain poorly documented. The May-June mating and July-August nesting windows are conservative working periods rather than published D. leopardinus dates.
Keeper warning
Territorial aggression, saurophagy and cannibalism are reported. Individual housing is the safest default. Introduce adults only under close observation with duplicate refuges and immediate separation capacity. Winter cooling should remain controlled and above freezing.