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 12.3 h; T5 UVB 10 h 18 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 1-2.5directly 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; begin gradual seasonal cooling
Northland, New Zealand; forest, scrub, swamp margins and regenerating manuka/kanuka
17-21 CDay air
11-14 CNight
23-26 CBask/warm
1-2.5T5 UVI*
12.3 hPhotoperiod
10 h 18 mT5 UVB duration
70-82 / 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 | 13-17 C | 7-10 C | 19-22 C | 0.5-1.5 | 9.8 h | 7 h 48 m | 74-86 / 85-96% | Mist 3-4x/wk; strong ventilation | 1-2 | Cool winter rest; frost-free; breeding activity may begin |
| February | 14-18 C | 8-11 C | 20-23 C | 1-2 | 10.0 h | 8 h | 72-84 / 84-95% | Mist 3-4x/wk | 2 | Late-winter warm-up; courtship/mating often starts |
| March | 15-19 C | 9-12 C | 22-25 C | 1-2.5 | 10.8 h | 8 h 48 m | 70-82 / 82-94% | Mist 4x/wk | 2-3 | Main mating period; monitor male aggression |
| April | 16-20 C | 10-13 C | 23-26 C | 1-2.5 | 11.8 h | 9 h 48 m | 68-80 / 80-92% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3 | Spring growth; females enter established gestation |
| May | 18-22 C | 12-15 C | 25-28 C | 1.5-3 | 13.0 h | 11 h | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Active feeding; maintain bright basking and shade |
| June | 19-23 C | 14-17 C | 26-29 C | 1.5-3 | 14.0 h | 12 h | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Summer peak begins; avoid overheating above mid-20s ambient |
| July | 20-24 C | 15-18 C | 26-29 C | 1.5-3 | 14.4 h | 12 h 24 m | 65-78 / 78-90% | Light mist 4-5x/wk; foliage dries between | 3-4 | Warm active season; gravid females building reserves |
| August | 20-24 C | 15-18 C | 26-29 C | 1.5-3 | 14.2 h | 12 h 12 m | 65-78 / 78-90% | Mist 4-5x/wk; fresh droplets | 3-4 | Late gestation; first births may occur late month |
| September | 19-23 C | 14-17 C | 25-28 C | 1.5-3 | 13.4 h | 11 h 24 m | 68-80 / 80-92% | Mist 4-5x/wk | 3-4 | Peak birthing window; separate neonates if needed |
| October | 17-21 C | 11-14 C | 23-26 C | 1-2.5 | 12.3 h | 10 h 18 m | 70-82 / 82-94% | Mist 4x/wk | 2-3 | Late births possible; begin gradual seasonal cooling |
| November | 15-19 C | 9-12 C | 21-24 C | 1-2 | 11.2 h | 9 h 12 m | 72-84 / 84-95% | Mist 3-4x/wk; wetter ambient season | 2 | Winter rest begins; reduce feeding with activity |
| December | 13-17 C | 7-10 C | 19-22 C | 0.5-1.5 | 10.3 h | 8 h 18 m | 74-86 / 85-96% | Mist 3-4x/wk; strong ventilation | 1-2 | Cool winter rest; frost-free; do not force-feed |
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 give birth to 1-2 live young; there is no egg-incubation stage.
Breeding
Wild timing is Jul-Sep mating and late Feb-Apr births; this Northern Hemisphere schedule shifts that sequence ~6 months to Jan-Mar mating and late Aug-Oct births.
Thermal warning
Do not maintain as a tropical gecko. Winter cooling is normal; summer overheating is a major risk.
Diet
Mostly insects, plus seasonal nectar, fruit and honeydew. Offer varied live prey and only modest sweet foods.
Legal
Naultinus spp. are CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B. Maintain complete legal-origin and parentage records.
Identity
Accepted spelling is Naultinus grayii (not greyii). Northland green gecko / Kawariki.