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 11.75 h; T5 UVB 9 h 45 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 3-4directly 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
Pre-breeding prep
Tropical riparian forest and woodland - Central and South America
28-29 CDay ambient
22-23 CNight
39-40 CBasking
11.75 hPhotoperiod
9 h 45 mT5 UVB duration
3-4T5 UVI*
60-65%Day RH
65-70%Night RH
Mist 1-2x; 1 stormRain
6 daysFeeding
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | T5 UVI* | Day RH | Night RH | Rain | Feeding | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27-28 C | 20-21 C | 38-40 C | 11 h | 9 h | 3-4 | 55-60% | 60-65% | Mist 1x | 5-6 days | Peak courtship |
| February | 28 C | 21-22 C | 39-40 C | 11.25 h | 9 h 15 m | 3-4 | 60% | 65% | Mist 1-2x; 1 storm | 6 days | Nest box / restless |
| March | 28-29 C | 22-23 C | 39-41 C | 11.75 h | 9 h 45 m | 3-4 | 65% | 70% | Mist 2x; 1-2 storms | Daily | Likely oviposition |
| April | 29-30 C | 23-24 C | 39-41 C | 12.25 h | 10 h 15 m | 3-4 | 70% | 75% | Mist 2x; 2 storms | Daily | Post-lay recovery |
| May | 30-31 C | 24-25 C | 40-42 C | 12.75 h | 10 h 45 m | 3-4 | 75% | 80% | Mist 2-3x; 2-3 storms | Daily | Wet-season growth |
| June | 31-32 C | 25-26 C | 40-42 C | 13 h | 11 h | 3-4 | 75-85% | 80-85% | Mist 3x; 3 storms | Daily | Peak wet season |
| July | 31-32 C | 25-26 C | 40-42 C | 13 h | 11 h | 3-4 | 75-85% | 80-85% | Mist 3x; 3 storms | Daily | Ventilation priority |
| August | 30-31 C | 24-25 C | 40-41 C | 12.75 h | 10 h 45 m | 3-4 | 70-80% | 75-80% | Mist 2-3x; 2 storms | Daily | Begin taper |
| September | 29-30 C | 23-24 C | 39-41 C | 12.25 h | 10 h 15 m | 3-4 | 65-75% | 70-75% | Mist 2x; 1-2 storms | Daily | Transition drier |
| October | 28-29 C | 22-23 C | 39-40 C | 11.75 h | 9 h 45 m | 3-4 | 60-65% | 65-70% | Mist 1-2x; 1 storm | 6 days | Pre-breeding prep |
| November | 27-28 C | 21-22 C | 38-40 C | 11.25 h | 9 h 15 m | 3-4 | 55-60% | 60-65% | Mist 1x | 5-6 days | Breeding begins |
| December | 27 C | 20-21 C | 38-40 C | 11 h | 9 h | 3-4 | 55-60% | 60-65% | Mist 1x | 5 days | Cool-dry cue |
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.
Enclosure and structure
Use a walk-in enclosure or dedicated room with extensive load-rated climbing branches, broad resting shelves, visual barriers and duplicate resources. More space is strongly preferred for this large arboreal species.
Heat and UVB
Follow the monthly cycle while maintaining a cooler shaded zone. Provide a broad 38-42 C basking surface and measured UVI 3-4 at the principal basking position, with low-UV retreat areas.
Diet
Base the diet on varied calcium-rich leafy greens, edible weeds, browse and flowers. Use vegetables secondarily and fruit sparingly. Avoid routine animal protein and repeated high-dose vitamin D3.
Humidity and water
Provide clean drinking water and fresh droplets on foliage. Pair elevated humidity with strong ventilation and drying between rain events; avoid cold damp corners and continuously wet perches.
Breeding and nest
The supplied facility cycle places courtship in November-January and likely laying in March. Install a private 40-60 cm deep cohesive nest before restlessness and use mass, behaviour and ultrasound to guide management.
Keeper warning
Adult males must not share unrestricted space. Supervise introductions and separate for biting, persistent pursuit, trapped animals, blocked basking or food access, declining mass or prolonged post-lay weakness.