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 45 m; 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 3directly 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
Seasonal taper
Rocky streams and riparian vegetation in evergreen forest of southern China and mainland Southeast Asia
26-29 CDay ambient
22-24 CNight
34-37 CBasking
3T5 UVI*
11 h 45 mPhotoperiod
9 h 45 mT5 UVB duration
70-80 / 80-95%RH day / night*
Daily lighter rainSpray / rain
4Food*
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 | 24-27 C | 20-22 C | 33-35 C | 2-3 | 11 h | 9 h | 65-80 / 80-90% | Daily mist; pool always | 3-4 | Courtship / mating |
| February | 25-28 C | 21-23 C | 34-36 C | 3 | 11 h 30 m | 9 h 30 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain; moist nest | 4-5 | Main laying period |
| March | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 35-37 C | 3-4 | 12 h | 10 h | 70-85 / 85-95% | 1-2 rain events/day | 4-5 | Recovery / re-mating |
| April | 27-30 C | 23-24 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 12 h 30 m | 10 h 30 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | 1-2 rain events/day | 4-5 | Second laying window |
| May | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 13 h | 11 h | 75-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain / mist | 4-5 | Warm wet season |
| June | 27-31 C | 24-25 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 13 h 15 m | 11 h 15 m | 75-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain / mist | 4-5 | Growth / recovery |
| July | 27-31 C | 24-25 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 13 h | 11 h | 75-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain / mist | 4-5 | Growth / recovery |
| August | 27-31 C | 24-25 C | 35-38 C | 3-4 | 12 h 45 m | 10 h 45 m | 75-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain / mist | 4-5 | Wet-season maintenance |
| September | 27-30 C | 23-25 C | 35-37 C | 3-4 | 12 h 15 m | 10 h 15 m | 70-85 / 85-95% | Daily rain / mist | 4-5 | Conditioning |
| October | 26-29 C | 22-24 C | 34-37 C | 3 | 11 h 45 m | 9 h 45 m | 70-80 / 80-95% | Daily lighter rain | 4 | Seasonal taper |
| November | 25-28 C | 21-23 C | 34-36 C | 2-3 | 11 h 15 m | 9 h 15 m | 65-80 / 80-90% | Mist 1-2x/day | 3-4 | Mild cool / drier phase |
| December | 24-27 C | 20-22 C | 33-35 C | 2-3 | 11 h | 9 h | 65-80 / 80-90% | Mist 1-2x/day | 3-4 | Breeding condition begins |
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 arboreal/semi-aquatic lizard of rocky streams in evergreen forest. For one adult use about 180 x 90 x 180 cm or larger; a compatible breeding pair needs substantially more room, ideally around 240 x 120 x 200 cm or larger. Provide robust branches, visual barriers and a permanent swimming pool.
Water and humidity
Maintain a clean pool large enough for full submersion, turning and swimming. Aim roughly 70-85% daytime RH and 80-95% overnight in the warm wet phase, with daily rain/misting and strong ventilation. Dirty warm water and stagnant humid air are major husbandry hazards.
Heat and UVB
Use warm air around 26-30 C through the active season with a broad 35-38 C basking surface and UVI about 3-4 at the main branch. Keep shaded lower areas cooler. A mild 20-22 C winter night is a breeding cue for healthy adults, not brumation.
Diet
Wild stomach analysis of 187 animals found 3,052 invertebrate food items and only 14 plant items. Rotate gut-loaded roaches, crickets, locusts, silkworms, larvae, earthworms and occasional snails. Soft fruit/flowers are secondary enrichment, not a staple.
Breeding and incubation
A 2024 Vietnamese captive study recorded reproductive condition from December-January, laying in February and April, a mean 18.16 eggs per female and 78.6 days mean incubation. Older clinical literature more commonly reports 8-12 eggs and 60-101 days at 28-30 C. Start incubation around 28-29 C in evenly moist aerated medium.
Nest site
Provide 20-30 cm of moist but not wet diggable soil/sand in a private laying zone. The 2024 study recorded egg chambers about 10-15 cm deep in moist sand and frequent test digging 1-3 days before laying.
Keeper warning
Do not house adult males together. Prevent persistent male harassment of females, provide immediate separation capacity, and monitor daily for rostral rubbing, toe/tail injury, falls, dehydration and poor pool hygiene. Never cold-brumate this tropical species.