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 1.5-2.5directly 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
Late births possible; gradual autumn cooling
Northern North Island, New Zealand; forest, scrub, swamp margins and regenerating manuka/kanuka
17-21 CDay air
11-14 CNight
23-26 CBask/warm
1.5-2.5T5 UVI*
11.8 hPhotoperiod
9 h 48 mT5 UVB duration
69-82 / 82-94%RH day / night*
Mist 4x/wkMisting / moisture
2-3Food days/week
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day air | Night | Bask/warm | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Misting / moisture | Food days/week | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14-18 C | 8-11 C | 20-24 C | 1.0-2.0 | 9.8 h | 7 h 48 m | 72-84 / 84-95% | Mist 3-4x/wk; ventilate well | 2 | Cool winter phase; courtship may begin late month |
| February | 15-19 C | 9-12 C | 22-25 C | 1.0-2.5 | 10.3 h | 8 h 18 m | 70-82 / 82-94% | Mist 3-4x/wk; foliage dries | 2-3 | Main courtship/mating; watch for persistent male pressure |
| March | 16-20 C | 10-13 C | 23-26 C | 1.5-2.5 | 11.2 h | 9 h 12 m | 68-80 / 80-92% | Mist 4x/wk | 3 | Main mating; gradual spring warm-up |
| April | 17-21 C | 11-14 C | 24-27 C | 1.5-3.0 | 12.3 h | 10 h 18 m | 66-80 / 78-92% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3 | Established gestation; increase prey variety/calcium |
| May | 18-22 C | 12-15 C | 25-28 C | 2.0-3.0 | 13.4 h | 11 h 24 m | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Active spring; dense foliage and bright basking |
| June | 20-24 C | 14-17 C | 26-29 C | 2.0-3.0 | 14.2 h | 12 h 12 m | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk; good airflow | 3-4 | Summer activity; avoid whole-cage heating |
| July | 21-25 C | 15-18 C | 27-30 C | 2.0-3.0 | 14.5 h | 12 h 30 m | 64-77 / 77-89% | Mist 4-5x/wk; dry surfaces between | 3-4 | Peak summer; strict overheating prevention |
| August | 20-24 C | 14-17 C | 26-29 C | 2.0-3.0 | 14.0 h | 12 h | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Late gestation; first births possible late month |
| September | 19-23 C | 13-16 C | 25-28 C | 1.5-3.0 | 13.0 h | 11 h | 67-80 / 80-92% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Main birth window; inspect foliage carefully for neonates |
| October | 17-21 C | 11-14 C | 23-26 C | 1.5-2.5 | 11.8 h | 9 h 48 m | 69-82 / 82-94% | Mist 4x/wk | 2-3 | Late births possible; gradual autumn cooling |
| November | 15-19 C | 9-12 C | 21-24 C | 1.0-2.0 | 10.7 h | 8 h 42 m | 71-84 / 84-95% | Mist 3-4x/wk | 2 | Cooling/rest transition; reduce food with activity |
| December | 14-18 C | 8-11 C | 20-23 C | 0.5-1.5 | 10.0 h | 8 h | 72-85 / 85-96% | Mist 3-4x/wk; strong airflow | 1-2 | Cool winter rest; frost-free; maintain hydration |
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
Females usually produce 1-2 live young; there is no egg-incubation stage.
Breeding
Wild NZ timing is mainly Jul-Sep mating and late Feb-Apr births; this Northern Hemisphere schedule shifts the sequence ~6 months to Jan-Mar mating and late Aug-Oct births.
UVB
Use a linear T5 with approximately UVI 2-3 at accessible spring/summer basking branches, lower in winter, and dense shade available at all times. This is a keeper target rather than a published species-specific optimum.
Thermal warning
Do not maintain as a tropical gecko. A real cool winter is normal and prolonged summer heat is a major risk.
Legal
Naultinus elegans is CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B. Maintain complete legal-origin and parentage records.
Identity
Naultinus punctatus is now a separate full species; older N. elegans elegans terminology is obsolete.