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 10.5 h; T5 UVB 8 h 30 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 2-3directly under the tube when it is on
Offer UVI 3-4 in the optional T5 area during May-August, starting near 3, with lower spring/autumn targets. Rock/sun-basking ecology and general sunbeam guidance support this cautious working patch. It is not a measured species-specific optimum, and the recommendation is based on microhabitat and activity, not altitude alone. Keep immediate full shade and crevice retreats.
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: Inferred from sun-basking ecology. 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 · Ruiz et al. (2023), description of Liolaemus splendidus
October management
Selected automatically using the Netherlands date
Seasonal taper
Basaltic rocky plateau slopes - near Piedra del Aguila, Neuquen, Argentina
14-18 CDay ambient
8-11 CNight
31-34 C limitedBasking
2-3T5 UVI*
10.5 hPhotoperiod
8 h 30 mT5 UVB duration
Light local moistureMoisture
2-3Food offers*
Annual schedule
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| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | Moisture | Food offers* | Seasonal management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8-11 C | 6-8 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; mostly dry | None | Winter rest |
| February | 8-11 C | 6-8 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; mostly dry | None | Winter rest |
| March | 10-14 C | 7-9 C | 30-33 C limited | 1-2 | 9 h | 7 h | Light local moisture | 1 late | Staged warm-up |
| April | 14-18 C | 8-11 C | 32-35 C | 2-3 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | Light local spray | 2-3 | Emergence / reconditioning |
| May | 17-21 C | 10-13 C | 34-37 C | 3-4 | 12 h | 10 h | Mostly dry | 3-4 | Full activity / courtship watch |
| June | 19-23 C | 11-14 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Mostly dry | 4-5 | Mating / follicular development |
| July | 20-24 C | 12-15 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 14 h | 12 h | Moist lay box available | 4-5 | Egg laying - documented in collection |
| August | 19-23 C | 11-14 C | 34-37 C | 3-4 | 13.5 h | 11 h 30 m | Lay box remains available | 4-5 | Post-lay recovery / incubation |
| September | 17-21 C | 10-13 C | 33-36 C | 2-3 | 12 h | 10 h | Light local spray | 3-4 | Hatching possible - 70 d record |
| October | 14-18 C | 8-11 C | 31-34 C limited | 2-3 | 10.5 h | 8 h 30 m | Light local moisture | 2-3 | Seasonal taper |
| November | 10-14 C | 7-9 C | 30-32 C limited | 1-2 | 9 h | 7 h | Minimal | 1 then stop | Cooling |
| December | 8-11 C | 6-8 C | Off | Off | 8 h | Off (0 h) | Water check; mostly dry | None | Winter rest |
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
Offer UVI 3-4 in the optional T5 area during May-August, starting near 3, with lower spring/autumn targets. Rock/sun-basking ecology and general sunbeam guidance support this cautious working patch. It is not a measured species-specific optimum, and the recommendation is based on microhabitat and activity, not altitude alone. Keep immediate full shade and crevice retreats.
Identity and locality
Liolaemus splendidus was formally described in 2023 from basaltic plateau slopes about 9 km north of Piedra del Aguila, Neuquen, Argentina, at roughly 638-650 m.
Habitat and behaviour
The species is saxicolous and retreats beneath rocks. The type description recorded two daily activity peaks and reduced activity during the period of strongest solar radiation, so strong shade and cool retreats are essential.
Diet
The formal description found the diet predominantly insectivorous, especially ants, with additional hemipterans, flies, beetles, spiders and substantial plant remains including Schinus johnstonii seeds. Use varied gut-loaded invertebrates as the base with safe plant material offered regularly.
Reproduction - primary literature
The 2023 formal description explicitly states that the authors had no reproduction data. Secondary online sources often label the species viviparous, but that statement is not supported by the primary description.
Reproduction - collection record
This collection has produced two fertile egg clutches. One documented egg laid 9 July 2026 hatched on 17 September 2026 after exactly 70 days. Current keeper management should therefore treat this captive stock as oviparous and maintain a functional lay site.
Keeper warning
Do not remove the lay box based on online viviparity claims. Record every future clutch and incubation parameter. Separate animals for persistent aggression, refuge exclusion, bite injury, suppressed basking or declining body mass.