Important Husbandry Requirements for Selected Reptiles
Species | Habitat/Vivarium Type | POTZ, °C (°F)a | Humidity, % | Lightingb | Hibernation | Dietc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Corn/rat snake | Terrestrial, scrubland | 25–30 (77–86) | 30–70d | NS | Yes | C |
Boa constrictor | Terrestrial, rainforest (semi-arboreal/aquatic) | 28–31 (82–88) | 70–95 | NS | No | C |
Ball python | Terrestrial, scrubland | 25–30 (77–86) | 50–80 | NS | No | C |
Leopard gecko | Terrestrial, arid scrub | 25–30 (77–86) | 20–30d | NS | No | I, c |
Green iguana | Arboreal, rainforest | 29–33 (84–91) | 60–85 | BS | No | H |
Bearded dragon | Terrestrial, desert | 25–32 (77–90) | 20–30d | BS | No | I, c, h |
Water dragon | Arboreal, rainforest | 24–30 (75–86) | 80–90 | BS | No | I, c, h |
Savannah monitor | Terrestrial, arid scrub | 25–32 (77–90) | 20–40d | BS | No | C, i |
Greek tortoise | Terrestrial, temperate to subtropical | 20–28 (68–82) | 30–50 | BS | Yes | H, c |
Box tortoise | Terrestrial, temperate to subtropical | 22–28 (72–82) | 50–80 | BS | Yes | H, I, c |
Leopard tortoise | Terrestrial, tropical | 25–30 (77–86) | 30–50 | BS | No | H, c |
Red-footed tortoise | Terrestrial, tropical | 25–30 (77–86) | 50–90 | BS | No | H, c |
Red-eared slider | Temperate to subtropical, gravel bottom or bare, water depth 30 cm (12 inches) minimum, land area ⅓ of tank | 22–27 (72–81) | Aquatic | BS | Possible | H, I, c |
Abbreviations: BS, broad-spectrum lighting; NS, no special lighting requirements; POTZ, preferred optimal temperature zone. | ||||||
a 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; uppercase indicates major food preference; lowercase, minor food preference. | ||||||
d Humidity requirements are substantially greater during ecdysis. | ||||||