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
La Palma, Canary Islands - volcanic coastal scrub, walls, agricultural margins, pine-zone edges and upland rocky habitats
22-26 CDay ambient
18-20 CNight
37-40 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 | 18-22 C | 13-16 C | 31-34 C | 2-3 | 10 h 35 m | 8 h 35 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Light rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Mild winter rest |
| February | 18-22 C | 13-16 C | 32-35 C | 2-3 | 11 h | 9 h | 60-70 / 70-80% | Light rain/mist 2x/wk | 2-3 | Conditioning |
| March | 19-23 C | 14-17 C | 34-37 C | 3-4 | 11 h 45 m | 9 h 45 m | 55-70 / 65-80% | Light rain/mist 2x/wk | 3-4 | Courtship begins |
| April | 21-25 C | 15-18 C | 36-39 C | 3-4 | 12 h 40 m | 10 h 40 m | 55-70 / 65-80% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 4 | Courtship / mating |
| May | 22-26 C | 16-19 C | 38-41 C | 4 | 13 h 25 m | 11 h 25 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Light mist; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / first laying |
| June | 24-28 C | 18-20 C | 40-42 C | 4-5 | 13 h 55 m | 11 h 55 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Light mist 1x/wk; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying / incubation |
| July | 25-29 C | 19-21 C | 41-43 C | 4-5 | 13 h 45 m | 11 h 45 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Mostly dry; moist retreat | 4-5 | Incubation / hatching |
| August | 25-29 C | 20-22 C | 41-43 C | 4-5 | 13 h 10 m | 11 h 10 m | 55-65 / 65-75% | Mostly dry; moist retreat | 4 | Late laying / hatching |
| September | 24-28 C | 19-22 C | 40-42 C | 4 | 12 h 20 m | 10 h 20 m | 55-70 / 65-80% | Light mist 1x/wk | 4 | Hatching / recovery |
| October | 22-26 C | 18-20 C | 37-40 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 | 20-24 C | 16-18 C | 34-37 C | 3 | 10 h 45 m | 8 h 45 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 3 | Reduced activity |
| December | 19-23 C | 14-17 C | 31-34 C | 2-3 | 10 h 25 m | 8 h 25 m | 60-70 / 70-80% | Rain/mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Mild 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.
Taxonomy
A July 2026 phylogenomic study elevated the La Palma lineage from Gallotia galloti palmae to full species as Gallotia palmae. Older literature and collection records will often use the former trinomial.
Range and habitat
Endemic to La Palma. It occurs from coastal volcanic habitats and agricultural margins into upland rocky and pine-zone environments; provenance matters because high-elevation animals experience much cooler conditions than coastal populations.
Climate
AEMET La Palma Airport normals show mean temperature around 18 C in January-February and about 24 C in August-September. Rain is concentrated in autumn/winter and almost absent in June-August, while coastal RH remains around 70-73%.
Thermal management
Use a broad gradient. Active-season basking surfaces around 40-43 C are appropriate while shaded retreats remain much cooler. Winter reduction is mild for typical low/mid-elevation stock; do not impose deep brumation.
Diet
Adults are plant-rich omnivores. Direct La Palma comparative data found plant matter strongly dominating adults; offer edible weeds, leafy greens, flowers, browse and modest fruit plus a smaller invertebrate component. Juveniles should receive proportionally more insects.
Reproduction
La Palma life-history data report a mean clutch size around 3 eggs, while broader species accounts commonly give 3-6. Use spring courtship and a May-July main laying window with deep, lightly moist nesting substrate.
Incubation
Direct controlled palmae-specific incubation data are limited. A cautious working start is about 25.5-27 C in a stable slightly moist medium; record each clutch to refine duration and moisture targets.
Social warning
Adult males are territorial and should not be assumed compatible. Provide duplicate basking, feeding and refuge sites and separate immediately for persistent pursuit, bites or resource exclusion.