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 12 h; T5 UVB 10 h.
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 2directly 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
Season winds down
Cerrado and Cerrado-forest mosaics - Brazil and eastern Bolivia
27-28 CDay ambient
21-23 CNight
35-37 CBasking
6 hLamp
12 hPhotoperiod
10 hT5 UVB duration
2T5 UVI*
50-65%Surface RH
65-80%Burrow RH
3 feedsFeeding
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | Lamp | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | T5 UVI* | Surface RH | Burrow RH | Feeding | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25-26 C | 18-20 C | 32-34 C | 4 h | 11 h | 9 h | 1-2 | 35-45% | 55-70% | 1-2 feeds | Mild slowdown |
| February | 26-27 C | 19-21 C | 33-35 C | 5 h | 11.5 h | 9 h 30 m | 1-2 | 35-50% | 55-70% | 2-3 feeds | Activity resumes |
| March | 27-28 C | 20-22 C | 34-36 C | 6 h | 12 h | 10 h | 2 | 45-60% | 60-75% | 3-4 feeds | Pre-breeding ramp |
| April | 28-29 C | 21-23 C | 35-37 C | 7 h | 12.5 h | 10 h 30 m | 2-3 | 55-70% | 70-85% | 4 feeds | Pairing / mating |
| May | 28-29 C | 22-23 C | 35-37 C | 8 h | 13 h | 11 h | 2-3 | 60-75% | 70-85% | 4 feeds | Mating / follicles |
| June | 28-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-38 C | 8 h | 13 h | 11 h | 2-3 | 65-80% | 75-90% | 4 feeds | Laying possible |
| July | 28-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-38 C | 8 h | 13 h | 11 h | 2-3 | 65-80% | 75-90% | 4 feeds | Laying / recovery |
| August | 28-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-38 C | 8 h | 13 h | 11 h | 2-3 | 65-80% | 75-90% | 4 feeds | Laying possible |
| September | 28-29 C | 22-24 C | 36-38 C | 7 h | 12.5 h | 10 h 30 m | 2-3 | 60-75% | 70-85% | 3-4 feeds | Late laying / recovery |
| October | 27-28 C | 21-23 C | 35-37 C | 6 h | 12 h | 10 h | 2 | 50-65% | 65-80% | 3 feeds | Season winds down |
| November | 26-27 C | 20-22 C | 34-36 C | 5 h | 11.5 h | 9 h 30 m | 1-2 | 40-55% | 60-75% | 2-3 feeds | Taper |
| December | 25-26 C | 19-20 C | 33-35 C | 4 h | 11 h | 9 h | 1-2 | 35-45% | 55-70% | 1-2 feeds | Mild slowdown |
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.
Correct identification
The accepted scientific name is Hoplocercus spinosus, not H. spinulosus. It is the only living species in its genus and occurs in Brazil and eastern Bolivia.
Burrow and enclosure
Use at least 120 x 60 x 70 cm for one adult, preferably 150 x 75 x 90 cm. Provide a 35-45 cm bank of cohesive sandy loam, supported heavy furnishings and several covered starter tunnels.
Heat, light and activity
During full activity provide 28-29 C warm-side air, a 24-26 C cooler zone and an optional 35-38 C surface basking area. Retain heat and low UV into late afternoon, followed by a dim dusk transition.
Diet and rainfall
Feed varied captive-bred invertebrates shortly before dusk. Keep a humid burrow depth while cycling the surface. During the wet season use short evening rain events with strong ventilation, never continuous saturation.
Breeding and incubation
Direct captive evidence is sparse. Use supervised late-afternoon introductions and a 35-45 cm laying bank. A clutch-size dataset indicates about four eggs on average; 26-28 C is only a cautious first incubation trial.
Keeper warning
Never restrain the animal by its non-autotomic spiny tail. House singly outside supervised introductions and separate immediately for biting, tunnel blocking, food exclusion or sustained pursuit.