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 10.5 h; T5 UVB 8 h 30 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
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
Autumn taper
Basalt plateaus, lava flows, scree and open xeric Patagonian steppe - Laguna Blanca / Neuquen, Argentina
14-18 CDay ambient
5-9 CNight
30-32 C limitedBasking
1-2T5 UVI*
10.5 hPhotoperiod
8 h 30 mT5 UVB duration
35-50 / 45-60%RH day / night*
MinimalSpray / rain
1-2Food offers*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / rain | Food offers* | Status / breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8-12 C | 2-5 C | Off | Off | 8.5 h | Off (0 h) | 40-55 / 50-65% | None | None | Cold rest / inactive |
| February | 8-13 C | 2-6 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 40-55 / 50-65% | None | None | Cold rest / inactive |
| March | 12-16 C | 4-8 C | 30-32 C limited | 1-2 | 10 h | 8 h | 35-50 / 45-60% | Localized light spray every 14 d | 1-2 late | Staged emergence |
| April | 16-20 C | 7-10 C | 32-34 C | 2-3 | 11 h | 9 h | 30-45 / 40-55% | Very light spray every 10-14 d | 2-3 | Full activity |
| May | 19-23 C | 9-12 C | 33-35 C | 3 | 12.5 h | 10 h 30 m | 30-45 / 40-55% | Very light spray every 10-14 d | 3-4 | Working mating window |
| June | 21-25 C | 10-14 C | 34-36 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | 30-45 / 40-55% | Optional localized spray every 14 d | 3-4 | Peak activity / breeding |
| July | 22-26 C | 11-15 C | 34-36 C | 3-4 | 14.5 h | 12 h 30 m | 30-45 / 40-55% | Optional localized spray every 14 d | 3-4 | Possible gravid / nesting |
| August | 21-25 C | 10-14 C | 33-35 C | 3 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | 30-45 / 40-55% | Very light spray every 10-14 d | 3-4 | Possible laying / recovery |
| September | 18-22 C | 8-12 C | 32-34 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | 35-50 / 45-60% | Light spray every 10-14 d | 2-3 | Late activity |
| October | 14-18 C | 5-9 C | 30-32 C limited | 1-2 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | 35-50 / 45-60% | Minimal | 1-2 | Autumn taper |
| November | 10-14 C | 3-7 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 40-55 / 50-65% | None | Stop after gut clears | Cooling down |
| December | 8-12 C | 2-5 C | Off | Off | 8.5 h | Off (0 h) | 40-55 / 50-65% | None | None | Cold rest / inactive |
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 habitat
Pristidactylus araucanus is endemic to Neuquen, Argentina, with the type locality at Laguna Blanca. It is strongly saxicolous and associated with basalt plateaus, lava fields, scree and open xeric Patagonian shrub-steppe.
Climate
Laguna Blanca is arid and very windy, with dry summers and most precipitation in autumn-winter. Captive surfaces should remain dry most of the time even when cool-season atmospheric RH rises.
Humidity and spray
During active months use low-moderate RH and only very light localized spraying every 10-14 days if needed for hydration/shedding. Do not use broad daily misting. During winter rest stop routine spraying and avoid cold wet substrate.
Diet
Published Argentine sources describe insectivory, including ants and beetles. Offer varied gut-loaded invertebrates and avoid overly fatty feeder-heavy diets.
Reproduction
Oviparity is documented, but detailed clutch size, laying dates and incubation parameters remain poorly known. The breeding and nesting months in this schedule are conservative working hypotheses and should be refined from direct captive records.
Social warning
Detailed social biology is poorly known. Individual housing is safest. Separate for biting, repeated pursuit, refuge exclusion, suppressed feeding or weight loss.
Winter warning
Cool only healthy animals after feeding has stopped and the gut is empty. Avoid freezing captive refuges and avoid cold saturated substrate. Monitor body mass and hydration.