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 h 25 m; T5 UVB 9 h 25 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 3-4directly 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 taper
Anaga Peninsula, La Laguna plateau and northern Tenerife coast west toward Garachico - rocky scrub, gardens, farmland and sunny edges
22-26 CDay ambient
14-17 CNight
36-39 CBasking
3-4T5 UVI*
11 h 25 mPhotoperiod
9 h 25 mT5 UVB duration
60-70 / 70-80%RH day / night*
Rain/mist 1-2x/wkSpray / rain
3-4Food offers*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / rain | Food offers* | Status / breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17-20 C | 10-13 C | 28-31 C | 2-3 | 10 h 35 m | 8 h 35 m | 65-75 / 75-85% | Light rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Cool winter rest |
| February | 18-21 C | 10-13 C | 29-32 C | 2-3 | 11 h | 9 h | 65-75 / 75-85% | Light rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Winter rest / conditioning |
| March | 20-23 C | 11-14 C | 32-35 C | 3 | 11 h 45 m | 9 h 45 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Rain/mist 2x/wk | 3-4 | Warm-up / courtship |
| April | 21-25 C | 12-15 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 12 h 40 m | 10 h 40 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Light rain/mist 1-2x/wk | 4 | Courtship / mating |
| May | 23-27 C | 14-17 C | 38-41 C | 4 | 13 h 25 m | 11 h 25 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 4-5 | Mating / first oviposition |
| June | 24-28 C | 15-18 C | 40-42 C | 4-5 | 13 h 55 m | 11 h 55 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Light mist 1x/wk | 4-5 | Laying / incubation |
| July | 25-29 C | 16-19 C | 41-43 C | 4-5 | 13 h 45 m | 11 h 45 m | 50-60 / 60-70% | Minimal; water always | 4-5 | Laying / second clutch possible |
| August | 25-29 C | 16-19 C | 41-43 C | 4-5 | 13 h 10 m | 11 h 10 m | 50-60 / 60-70% | Minimal; water always | 4 | Late laying / hatching |
| September | 24-28 C | 16-19 C | 39-42 C | 4 | 12 h 20 m | 10 h 20 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Light mist 1x/wk | 4 | Hatching / recovery |
| October | 22-26 C | 14-17 C | 36-39 C | 3-4 | 11 h 25 m | 9 h 25 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Rain/mist 1-2x/wk | 3-4 | Autumn taper |
| November | 19-23 C | 12-15 C | 32-35 C | 3 | 10 h 45 m | 8 h 45 m | 65-75 / 75-85% | Rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 3 | Cooling / reduced activity |
| December | 17-20 C | 10-13 C | 28-31 C | 2-3 | 10 h 25 m | 8 h 25 m | 65-80 / 75-88% | Rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Cool 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 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.
Range
Gallotia galloti eisentrauti is the northern Tenerife subspecies. It occurs on the Anaga Peninsula, La Laguna plateau and north coast west toward Garachico. The type locality is Bajamar.
Climate
Northern Tenerife is cooler and wetter than the south. AEMET Tenerife Norte normals show mean temperatures from about 13 C in January to 21 C in August, rainfall around 70-82 mm/month in November-February and only about 5-11 mm in June-August, with RH generally around 69-79%.
Thermal management
Use a broad gradient. Active-season basking surfaces around 40-43 C are appropriate, but maintain much cooler shaded retreats. Winter cooling is mild; reduce air temperature, basking intensity and feeding without deep brumation.
Humidity and rain
Increase localized rain/misting in autumn and winter, while keeping summer exposed surfaces mostly dry. Maintain a slightly humid deep refuge year-round and strong ventilation.
Diet
Adults are plant-rich omnivores. Tenerife studies show high use of fruits, flowers, leaves and stems, with relatively more invertebrates during winter. Juveniles should receive a higher invertebrate proportion.
Reproduction
Eight captive pairs followed for seven years laid 1-2 clutches annually from early May to late August. First clutches averaged 4.7 eggs (2-9); second clutches 3.4 eggs (2-6). Incubation averaged 73 days, range 62-89 days.
Incubation
A successful modern breeder incubated eggs at a constant 26 C on moist vermiculite and obtained hatchlings after 62 days. Mean egg dimensions were reported at about 19.3 x 12.8 mm.
Social warning
Courtship includes forceful neck-biting and adult males can be territorial. Provide multiple basking, feeding and retreat sites and separate immediately for persistent harassment or injury.