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; T5 UVB 8 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 1-2directly 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
Seasonal taper
Cold arid volcanic uplands - Payunia, southern Mendoza, Argentina
13-17 CDay ambient
6-9 CNight
34-37 C limitedBasking
1-2T5 UVI*
10 hPhotoperiod
8 hT5 UVB duration
Minimal local sprayMoisture
1-2 then stopFood offers*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | Moisture | Food offers* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7-11 C | 4-8 C | Off | Off | 0-8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; no spray | None | Deep brumation |
| February | 7-11 C | 4-8 C | Off | Off | 0-8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; no spray | None | Deep brumation |
| March | 9-13 C | 5-8 C | Off; 34-36 C late | Off / 1 | 8-9 h | Off during rest; 6 h to 7 h when active | Water check; no spray | None / restart late | Staged emergence late |
| April | 14-18 C | 6-10 C | 35-38 C | 2-3 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | Light local spray every 10-14 d | 2-3 | Emergence / reconditioning |
| May | 18-22 C | 8-12 C | 37-40 C | 3-4 | 12 h | 10 h | Occasional local spray | 5-6 | Full activity / courtship |
| June | 20-24 C | 9-13 C | 38-41 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | Occasional local spray | 6-7 | Peak activity / mating |
| July | 21-25 C | 10-14 C | 38-41 C | 3-4 | 14.5 h | 12 h 30 m | Occasional local spray | 6-7 | Peak activity / gestation |
| August | 20-24 C | 9-13 C | 38-40 C | 3-4 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Light local spray every 10-14 d | 5-6 | Gestation / birth watch |
| September | 17-21 C | 7-11 C | 36-39 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | Light local spray every 10-14 d | 4-5 | Birth watch / recovery |
| October | 13-17 C | 6-9 C | 34-37 C limited | 1-2 | 10 h | 8 h | Minimal local spray | 1-2 then stop | Seasonal taper |
| November | 8-12 C | 4-8 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; no spray | None | Cooling / brumation |
| December | 7-11 C | 4-8 C | Off | Off | 0-8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; no spray | None | Deep brumation |
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.
Identity and range
Phymaturus roigorum is accepted as a distinct palluma-group species endemic to Argentina. The type locality is Puesto Rojas, 16 km from Provincial Route 180 in El Nevado, San Rafael Department, Mendoza; ecology has been studied on Payun Matru and Payun Liso at 2111-2372 m.
Climate and rock use
Payunia is cold and arid, with rainy or snowy winters and dry summers. The species uses many volcanic rock types, including dark basalt, and shelters in deep crevices. November and January field crevices averaged about 14.18 C and 20.04 C respectively.
Thermal management
Species-specific research measured preferred body temperature at 34.66 +/- 1.76 C. Use 38-41 C only as a local basking-surface starting point, never as whole-enclosure or target body temperature. Provide cool ambient air, bright visible light and immediate access to deep shaded crevices.
Diet
Direct observations show strict herbivory and selective use of leaves, browse and flowers. Wild animals selected Adesmia pinnifolia, Senecio filaginoides, Schinus johnstonii, Mulinum spinosum and Ephedra chilensis by site or season, while grasses were avoided. Feed varied fibrous greens, safe browse and flowers.
Activity and social management
Field activity was roughly 0900-1900 in spring and summer, with a long basking capacity and site-dependent bimodal foraging. Animals can share rocks, refuges and feeding plants, but chasing and display occur. Use one adult male only, duplicate resources and retain immediate separation capacity.
Breeding evidence
Viviparity is confirmed, but no species-specific litter size, mating month or gestation schedule was located. Treat May-July as an observational courtship window and August-October as a broad birth-watch period after the six-month shift; use veterinary imaging instead of assuming pregnancy timing.
Keeper warning
Cool only healthy, conditioned adults after feeding has stopped and the gut is clear. Use a controlled 4-8 C refuge rather than outdoor freezing exposure. Record starting mass, make planned checks, reweigh every 2-4 weeks, and reverse cooling for weight loss, dehydration, respiratory signs or persistent activity without digestion.