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 h; T5 UVB 9 h.
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 / gut clearance
Sunny woodland edges, hedgerows, scrub, vineyards and bushy slopes - northern Spain, France, southern Switzerland, western Germany and much of Italy
17-21 CDay ambient
10-13 CNight
32-36 C limitedBasking
1-2T5 UVI*
11 hPhotoperiod
9 hT5 UVB duration
50-65 / 65-80%RH day / night*
Local moistureSpray / rain
2 then taperFood*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / rain | Food* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6-9 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 60-70 / 75-85% | Refuge moisture only | None | Brumation |
| February | 7-11 C | 4-8 C | Off / late month limited | Off / 1-2 late | 10 h | Off during rest; 8 h when active | 60-70 / 75-85% | Refuge moisture only | None | Brumation; staged wake late |
| March | 17-21 C | 9-12 C | 32-36 C | 2-3 | 11 h 30 m | 9 h 30 m | 50-65 / 65-80% | Light mist 2-3x/wk | 2-3 | Warm-up / conditioning |
| April | 20-24 C | 11-14 C | 35-39 C | 3-4 | 13 h | 11 h | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 2x/wk | 3-4 | Courtship / mating |
| May | 22-26 C | 13-16 C | 37-41 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist; moist nest | 4-5 | Mating / follicles |
| June | 24-28 C | 15-18 C | 38-42 C | 3-4 | 15 h | 13 h | 40-55 / 55-70% | Surface drier; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying / possible remating |
| July | 25-29 C | 16-19 C | 38-42 C | 3-4 | 15 h 15 m | 13 h 15 m | 40-55 / 55-70% | Drying surface; moist retreat | 4 | Second clutch / incubation |
| August | 24-28 C | 16-19 C | 37-41 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | 40-55 / 55-70% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 3-4 | Hatching / recovery |
| September | 21-25 C | 13-16 C | 35-39 C | 2-3 | 12 h 30 m | 10 h 30 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 2x/wk | 3 | Juvenile growth / recovery |
| October | 17-21 C | 10-13 C | 32-36 C limited | 1-2 | 11 h | 9 h | 50-65 / 65-80% | Local moisture | 2 then taper | Autumn taper / gut clearance |
| November | 10-14 C | 6-9 C | Off / brief early | Off | 9 h 45 m | Off (0 h) | 55-70 / 70-85% | Refuge moisture only | Stop when cooling | Cooling / brumation |
| December | 6-9 C | 4-7 C | Off | Off | 9 h | Off (0 h) | 60-70 / 75-85% | Refuge moisture only | None | Brumation |
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.
Habitat and enclosure
A large, active lacertid of sunny woodland edges, hedgerows, scrub, vineyards and bushy slopes. For one adult use about 150 x 70 x 90 cm or larger; compatible pairs benefit from about 180 x 80 x 100 cm or more. Provide branches, stable rocks, cork, dense visual cover and deep diggable substrate.
Thermal biology
This species is a heliotherm that raises active body temperature to around 34 C. Use a broad 37-42 C basking surface in peak season with substantially cooler shaded retreats. Measured UVI 3-4 at the basking zone is a practical starting point rather than a direct field measurement.
Winter brumation
Wild populations generally disappear into winter refuges during autumn and re-emerge in late winter or spring. For healthy breeding adults use a controlled, frost-free winter rest around 4-9 C after complete gut clearance. Provenance matters: northern or upland stock may need longer cooling than warm southern stock.
Diet
Feed varied gut-loaded invertebrates as the core diet: crickets, locusts, roaches, spiders, earthworms, snails and other suitable prey. Seasonal soft fruit may be offered occasionally but is not a staple. Provide appropriate calcium and micronutrient supplementation.
Breeding and incubation
Courtship and mating are concentrated in spring, usually April-June, with laying from May into summer. Field accounts commonly report 5-20 eggs; detailed captive work reports 12-23 eggs and multiple clutches in highly productive females. A cautious incubation starting point is 26-28 C in slightly moist medium.
Keeper warning
Adult males are extremely territorial and must not be housed together. Even a male-female group needs visual barriers, duplicate resources and immediate separation capacity if there is persistent chasing, biting, basking exclusion or weight loss.