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 11.8 h; T5 UVB 9 h 48 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 2.0-3.5directly 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 · Muryn, Baines and Dishman (2026), Reptile Lighting Guide V10
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Autumn slowdown; reduce feeding with activity
Semi-arid eastern/central Australia; rocky ranges, open woodland and shrubland
22-26 CDay ambient
13-16 CNight
34-38 CBasking
2.0-3.5T5 UVI*
11.8 hPhotoperiod
9 h 48 mT5 UVB duration
Light spray 1x/wkSpray / water
2-3Feeding
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | Spray / water | Feeding | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17-20 C | 10-13 C | 30-33 C | 1.0-2.0 | 9.8 h | 7 h 48 m | Light spray 1x/wk; keep refuges dry | 1-2 | Deep winter rest; very low feeding; maintain water |
| February | 18-21 C | 11-14 C | 31-34 C | 1.0-2.0 | 10.4 h | 8 h 24 m | Light spray 1x/wk | 1-2 | Late winter; begin gradual increase in light/heat |
| March | 20-24 C | 12-15 C | 33-36 C | 2.0-3.0 | 11.4 h | 9 h 24 m | Light spray 1x/wk | 2-3 | Spring activation; appetite and social activity rise |
| April | 23-27 C | 14-17 C | 35-39 C | 2.5-4.0 | 12.5 h | 10 h 30 m | Light spray every 7-10 d | 3 | Main courtship/mating begins; monitor group tension |
| May | 25-29 C | 16-19 C | 37-41 C | 3.0-4.5 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Very light spray every 7-10 d | 3-4 | Peak mating; stable pairs/family groups preferred |
| June | 26-30 C | 17-20 C | 38-42 C | 3.0-5.0 | 14.2 h | 12 h 12 m | Mostly dry; moist refuge optional | 3-4 | Early gestation; strong basking and varied diet |
| July | 27-31 C | 18-21 C | 39-43 C | 3.0-5.0 | 14.5 h | 12 h 30 m | Mostly dry; water always available | 3-4 | Peak summer; gravid females need easy retreat access |
| August | 26-30 C | 17-20 C | 38-42 C | 3.0-4.5 | 14.0 h | 12 h | Light spray every 10-14 d | 3-4 | Main birth window begins; inspect refuges daily |
| September | 24-28 C | 15-18 C | 36-40 C | 2.5-4.0 | 13.0 h | 11 h | Light spray 1x/wk | 3 | Births continue; protect neonates from adult aggression |
| October | 22-26 C | 13-16 C | 34-38 C | 2.0-3.5 | 11.8 h | 9 h 48 m | Light spray 1x/wk | 2-3 | Autumn slowdown; reduce feeding with activity |
| November | 19-23 C | 11-14 C | 32-35 C | 1.5-2.5 | 10.7 h | 8 h 42 m | Light spray 1x/wk | 2 | Cooling transition; shorten basking period |
| December | 17-20 C | 10-13 C | 30-33 C | 1.0-2.0 | 10.0 h | 8 h | Light spray 1x/wk | 1-2 | Winter rest; dry, ventilated, frost-free |
Additional original settings
Preserved humidity and lamp-duration values. Use the main table’s T5 UVB duration for UVB timing.
- January
- RH day / night*: 45-58 / 55-68%
- February
- RH day / night*: 43-56 / 53-66%
- March
- RH day / night*: 40-53 / 50-63%
- April
- RH day / night*: 37-50 / 47-60%
- May
- RH day / night*: 34-48 / 44-58%
- June
- RH day / night*: 32-45 / 42-55%
- July
- RH day / night*: 30-44 / 40-54%
- August
- RH day / night*: 32-46 / 42-56%
- September
- RH day / night*: 35-49 / 45-59%
- October
- RH day / night*: 38-52 / 48-62%
- November
- RH day / night*: 42-55 / 52-66%
- December
- RH day / night*: 45-58 / 55-68%
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.
Viviparous
No eggs to incubate; Hawker females averaged about 5 young per litter.
Breeding
Wild eastern-form births Feb-Mar become Aug-Sep on this Northern Hemisphere schedule.
UVB
Keeper target ~UVI 3-5 under the accessible T5 basking zone in the active season, with near-zero UV refuges.
Social
Stable pairs/family groups are natural, but unfamiliar adults may fight.
Taxonomy
Accepted subspecies spelling is zellingi. This is the eastern Australian form, not the Houtman Abrolhos nominate form.