Important Husbandry Requirements for Selected Reptiles
Species | Habitat / Vivarium Type | POTZa (°C) | Humidity % | Lightingb | Hibernation | Dietc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corn/rat snake | Terrestrial, scrubland | 25–30 | 30–70d | NS | Yes | C |
Boa constrictor | Terrestrial, rain forest (semi-arboreal/aquatic) | 28–31 | 70–95 | NS | No | C |
Ball python | Terrestrial, scrubland | 25–30 | 50–80 | NS | No | C |
Leopard gecko | Terrestrial, arid scrub | 25–30 | 20–30d | NS | No | I, c |
Green iguana | Arboreal, rain forest | 29–33 | 60–85 | BS | No | H |
Bearded dragon | Terrestrial, desert | 25–32 | 20–30d | BS | No | I, c, h |
Water dragon | Arboreal, rain forest | 24–30 | 80–90 | BS | No | I, c, h |
Savannah monitor | Terrestrial, arid scrub | 25–32 | 20–40d | BS | No | C, i |
Greek tortoise | Terrestrial, temperate to subtropical | 20–28 | 30–50 | BS | Yes | H, c |
Box tortoise | Terrestrial, temperate to subtropical | 22–28 | 50–80 | BS | Yes | H, I, c |
Leopard tortoise | Terrestrial, tropical | 25–30 | 30–50 | BS | No | H, c |
Red-footed tortoise | Terrestrial, tropical | 25–30 | 50–90 | BS | No | H, c |
Red-eared slider | Temperate to subtropical gravel bottom or bare, water depth 30 cm min, land area ⅓ of tank | 22–27 | Aquatic | BS | Possible | H, I, c |
a POTZ = preferred optimal temperature zone. Temperature requirements shown are air temperature gradients. In general, basking temperatures should be 5°C warmer, whereas at night these temperatures should fall by 5°C. | ||||||
b BS = broad-spectrum lighting (UVB 290–300 nm) essential, NS = no special lighting requirements, although broad-spectrum lighting is still recommended because it is likely to have health benefits. | ||||||
c I or i = insectivorous, H or h = herbivorous, C or c = carnivorous; upper case indicates major food preference, lower case minor food preference. | ||||||
d Humidity requirements are significantly greater during ecdysis. | ||||||