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 11.8 h; T5 UVB 9 h 48 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 2.0-3.5directly under the tube when it is on
Retain the existing locality working schedule, including the June-July 3.5-5.5 patch. Correct the abbreviated active-season note so it agrees with the table. This locality refinement is inferred and not a measured population-specific UV requirement.
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 slowdown; feeding follows activity
Aramac, Central West Queensland; semi-arid gidgee country, rocky/log crevice habitat
23-27 CDay ambient
13-16 CNight
35-39 CBasking
2.0-3.5T5 UVI*
11.8 hPhotoperiod
9 h 48 mT5 UVB duration
Mostly dry; light spray every 7-10 dSpray / water
2-3Feeding
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | Spray / water | Feeding | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18-21 C | 8-11 C | 31-34 C | 1.0-2.0 | 10.1 h | 8 h 6 m | Mostly dry; light spray 1x/10-14 d | 1-2 | Mid-winter rest; low feeding; retain short bask window |
| February | 19-22 C | 9-12 C | 32-35 C | 1.0-2.0 | 10.8 h | 8 h 48 m | Mostly dry; light spray 1x/10-14 d | 1-2 | Late winter; begin gradual warm-up |
| March | 22-25 C | 11-14 C | 34-37 C | 2.0-3.0 | 11.8 h | 9 h 48 m | Light spray about 1x/wk | 2-3 | Spring activation; feeding and social activity increase |
| April | 25-28 C | 14-17 C | 36-40 C | 2.5-4.0 | 13.0 h | 11 h | Light spray 1x/wk | 3 | Courtship/mating period; monitor established groups |
| May | 27-30 C | 16-19 C | 38-42 C | 3.0-5.0 | 14.0 h | 12 h | Light spray 1x/wk; moist retreat optional | 3-4 | Peak mating / early gestation; strong basking access |
| June | 29-32 C | 18-21 C | 40-44 C | 3.5-5.5 | 14.5 h | 12 h 30 m | Summer rain pulse 1-2x/wk, then dry | 3-4 | Hot active season; Aramac summer-rain analogue begins |
| July | 29-32 C | 18-21 C | 40-44 C | 3.5-5.5 | 14.7 h | 12 h 42 m | Rain pulse 1-2x/wk; dry fully between | 3-4 | Peak summer; gravid females need secure crevices |
| August | 28-31 C | 17-20 C | 39-43 C | 3.0-5.0 | 14.1 h | 12 h 6 m | Rain pulse about 1x/wk | 3-4 | Main live-birth window begins; inspect refuges daily |
| September | 26-29 C | 15-18 C | 37-41 C | 2.5-4.0 | 13.0 h | 11 h | Reduce rain; light spray 1x/wk | 3 | Births may continue; protect neonates if aggression occurs |
| October | 23-27 C | 13-16 C | 35-39 C | 2.0-3.5 | 11.8 h | 9 h 48 m | Mostly dry; light spray every 7-10 d | 2-3 | Autumn slowdown; feeding follows activity |
| November | 20-24 C | 10-13 C | 33-36 C | 1.5-2.5 | 10.7 h | 8 h 42 m | Mostly dry; light spray every 10-14 d | 2 | Cooling transition; shorten basking period |
| December | 18-21 C | 8-11 C | 31-34 C | 1.0-2.0 | 9.9 h | 7 h 54 m | Mostly dry; water always available | 1-2 | Winter rest; cool, dry and well ventilated |
Additional original settings
Preserved humidity and lamp-duration values. Use the main table’s T5 UVB duration for UVB timing.
- January
- RH day / night*: 38-50 / 48-60%
- February
- RH day / night*: 36-48 / 46-58%
- March
- RH day / night*: 34-46 / 44-56%
- April
- RH day / night*: 32-44 / 42-54%
- May
- RH day / night*: 30-42 / 40-52%
- June
- RH day / night*: 32-45 / 42-55%
- July
- RH day / night*: 34-48 / 44-58%
- August
- RH day / night*: 34-48 / 44-58%
- September
- RH day / night*: 32-45 / 42-55%
- October
- RH day / night*: 30-43 / 40-53%
- November
- RH day / night*: 34-46 / 44-56%
- December
- RH day / night*: 38-50 / 48-60%
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
Retain the existing locality working schedule, including the June-July 3.5-5.5 patch. Correct the abbreviated active-season note so it agrees with the table. This locality refinement is inferred and not a measured population-specific UV requirement.
Viviparous
No eggs to incubate; Hawker females averaged about 5 young per litter.
Breeding
Wild eastern-form births Feb-Mar become Aug-Sep on this Northern Hemisphere schedule.
UVB
Keeper target approximately UVI 3-5.5 during the active season, including 3.5-5.5 in June-July, under the accessible T5 exposure area; preserve near-zero UV refuges.
Social
Stable pairs/family groups are natural, but unfamiliar adults may fight.
Taxonomy
Aramac is a verified Queensland E. stokesii locality. Current AFD treatment places Queensland populations with zellingi; nominate stokesii is Houtman Abrolhos.