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 h 45 m; T5 UVB 8 h 45 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 1-2directly under the tube when it is on
Retain the peak UVI 2-3 target. Its sheltered streamside habitat and absence of a species-specific UV study do not justify increasing it merely because other green lacertids have 3-4 targets. Keep both optional exposure and dense cover.
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 · Brito et al. (1998), habitats of Lacerta schreiberi
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Autumn taper
Humid Atlantic-climate shrubland, woodland edges, stream margins and densely vegetated stone/river habitats of Portugal and northern/central Spain
15-19 CDay ambient
8-11 CNight
30-34 C limitedBasking
1-2T5 UVI*
10 h 45 mPhotoperiod
8 h 45 mT5 UVB duration
65-80 / 80-90%RH day / night*
Light rain / mist 3x/wkSpray / rain
2 then taperFood*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / rain | Food* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6-10 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 70-85 / 80-90% | Moist refuge; no saturation | None | Winter rest |
| February | 7-11 C | 4-8 C | Off / late limited | Off / 1 late | 9 h 45 m | Off during rest; 7 h 45 m when active | 70-85 / 80-90% | Moist refuge; ventilate | None | Winter rest; staged wake late |
| March | 14-18 C | 7-10 C | 30-34 C limited | 1-2 | 11 h | 9 h | 65-80 / 75-90% | Light mist 3-4x/wk | 1-2 | Warm-up / conditioning |
| April | 18-22 C | 10-13 C | 33-37 C | 2-3 | 12 h 45 m | 10 h 45 m | 60-75 / 70-85% | Mist 3x/wk; humid retreat | 3-4 | Courtship / mating |
| May | 20-24 C | 12-15 C | 35-39 C | 2-3 | 14 h | 12 h | 60-75 / 70-85% | Mist 3x/wk; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / vitellogenesis |
| June | 22-26 C | 14-17 C | 35-40 C | 2-3 | 15 h | 13 h | 55-70 / 65-80% | Mist 2-3x/wk; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying period |
| July | 23-27 C | 15-18 C | 35-39 C | 2-3 | 14 h 45 m | 12 h 45 m | 55-70 / 65-80% | Cool moist refuge; 2-3x/wk | 4 | Incubation / recovery |
| August | 22-26 C | 14-17 C | 34-38 C | 2-3 | 13 h 45 m | 11 h 45 m | 55-70 / 70-85% | Mist 3x/wk; water always | 3-4 | Hatching / recovery |
| September | 19-23 C | 11-14 C | 32-36 C | 2 | 12 h 15 m | 10 h 15 m | 60-75 / 75-90% | Mist 3-4x/wk | 3 | Recovery / winter prep |
| October | 15-19 C | 8-11 C | 30-34 C limited | 1-2 | 10 h 45 m | 8 h 45 m | 65-80 / 80-90% | Light rain / mist 3x/wk | 2 then taper | Autumn taper |
| November | 9-13 C | 5-8 C | Off / brief early | Off / 1 | 9 h 30 m | 7 h 30 m when active; then Off | 70-85 / 80-90% | Moist refuge; no stagnation | Stop | Cooling / clearance |
| December | 6-10 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 70-85 / 80-90% | Moist refuge; no saturation | 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
Retain the peak UVI 2-3 target. Its sheltered streamside habitat and absence of a species-specific UV study do not justify increasing it merely because other green lacertids have 3-4 targets. Keep both optional exposure and dense cover.
Habitat and enclosure
Iberian endemic strongly associated with humid vegetation and stream/river margins. For one adult use about 150 x 70 x 90 cm or larger; a compatible pair benefits from about 180 x 80 x 100 cm or more, with branches, rocks, dense visual cover and deep diggable substrate.
Thermal biology
Selected body temperature has been measured around 33-35 C, while recent field observations in humid coastal habitat averaged about 29 C. Use a local 35-40 C basking surface in peak season but preserve extensive shaded air temperatures in the low 20s.
Humidity
Maintain a reliably moist deep refuge, planted/shaded zone and fresh water year-round. Exposed surfaces can dry between mistings, but this species should never be maintained like a dry Mediterranean lacertid.
Winter rest
For healthy adults of unknown provenance, use a frost-free winter rest around 5-9 C for roughly 12-16 weeks after full gut clearance. Keep the retreat slightly moist and ventilated; never allow freezing, saturation or condensation.
Diet
Feed varied gut-loaded invertebrates as the staple. Beetles, ants and flies are important natural prey; crickets, locusts, roaches, spiders, earthworms and small snails are useful captive foods. Fruit is occasional only.
Breeding and incubation
Spring mating is followed by one main clutch. Montane females average about 14 eggs (7-24). Incubate cool: about 24-26 C in moist vermiculite/perlite. Natural nests average ~24 C and high incubation temperatures reduce success; avoid sustained 28-30 C.
Keeper warning
Adult males are strongly territorial and may fight violently. Breeding pairs need visual barriers and immediate separation capacity. Heat stress and dehydration are important risks: always preserve a cool, humid retreat.