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 30 m; T5 UVB 9 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
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
Working mating window
Highly arboreal inter-Andean seasonally dry forest, streamside vegetation and shrubs - northern Peru and southern Ecuador
25-29 CDay ambient
19-22 CNight
33-35 CBasking
2-3T5 UVI*
11 h 30 mPhotoperiod
9 h 30 mT5 UVB duration
50-65 / 65-80%RH day / night*
2-3 rain/mist events/wkSpray / rain
4Food offers*
Annual schedule
Scroll sideways on smaller screens
| Month | Day ambient | Night | Basking | T5 UVI* | Photoperiod | T5 UVB duration | RH day / night* | Spray / rain | Food offers* | Status / breeding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23-27 C | 17-20 C | 32-34 C | 2-3 | 10 h 30 m | 8 h 30 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 3 | Dry/cool period |
| February | 23-27 C | 17-20 C | 32-34 C | 2-3 | 10 h 45 m | 8 h 45 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 3 | Dry/cool period |
| March | 24-28 C | 18-21 C | 33-35 C | 2-3 | 11 h 15 m | 9 h 15 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 2x/wk | 3-4 | Warm-up / conditioning |
| April | 25-29 C | 19-22 C | 34-35 C | 3 | 12 h | 10 h | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 2x/wk | 3-4 | Pre-rain conditioning |
| May | 26-30 C | 20-23 C | 34-36 C | 3 | 12 h 45 m | 10 h 45 m | 50-65 / 65-80% | 2-3 rain/mist events/wk | 4 | Rain ramp-up |
| June | 27-31 C | 21-24 C | 34-36 C | 3 | 13 h 15 m | 11 h 15 m | 55-70 / 70-85% | 4 rain/mist events/wk | 4-5 | Wet season begins |
| July | 27-31 C | 21-24 C | 34-36 C | 3 | 13 h 30 m | 11 h 30 m | 60-75 / 75-88% | 4-5 rain/mist events/wk | 4-5 | Peak wet season |
| August | 27-31 C | 21-24 C | 34-36 C | 3 | 13 h | 11 h | 60-75 / 75-88% | 4-5 rain/mist events/wk | 4-5 | Wet season / conditioning |
| September | 26-30 C | 20-23 C | 34-35 C | 2-3 | 12 h 15 m | 10 h 15 m | 55-70 / 70-85% | 3-4 rain/mist events/wk | 4-5 | Color/display / courtship |
| October | 25-29 C | 19-22 C | 33-35 C | 2-3 | 11 h 30 m | 9 h 30 m | 50-65 / 65-80% | 2-3 rain/mist events/wk | 4 | Working mating window |
| November | 24-28 C | 18-21 C | 33-34 C | 2-3 | 10 h 45 m | 8 h 45 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 3-4 | Possible gravid / nesting |
| December | 23-27 C | 17-20 C | 32-34 C | 2 | 10 h 30 m | 8 h 30 m | 45-60 / 60-75% | Light mist 1-2x/wk | 3 | Dry-down / possible laying |
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
Polychrus peruvianus is highly arboreal and occurs in northern Peru and southern Ecuador. Wild individuals were found almost exclusively on trees and shrubs 1.5-7 m above ground, especially along roads, paths and streams in seasonally dry forest.
Field climate
Direct observations recorded active animals at 28.7-35.9 C and 41-63% RH by day, and sleeping animals at 20.8-28.3 C and 53-75% RH at night. Use these as field context, not whole-enclosure setpoints.
Humidity and rain
The Marañon dry forest has a strong seasonal rain pulse. This Northern Hemisphere schedule shifts that pulse to June-September. Maintain a humidity gradient and strong ventilation; do not keep all foliage permanently wet.
Diet
A 2019 stomach-content study showed a marked ontogenetic shift. Adult food volume was strongly plant-dominated, while juveniles relied much more heavily on animal prey. Feed adults a mixed plant-rich diet with insects, and juveniles a higher insect proportion.
Reproduction
The species is oviparous. Secondary accounts report roughly 4-8 eggs, but precise wild mating, laying and incubation data remain sparse. The September-November breeding window in this schedule is a working captive translation following the summer rain period.
Social warning
Males may be territorial despite occasional wild observations of multiple animals sharing one tree. Individual housing is safest outside breeding. Separate for persistent chasing, biting, food exclusion, suppressed coloration or declining body condition.
Nest warning
Provide a secluded ground-level soil/sand/leaf-litter nesting pocket even though the species is otherwise strongly arboreal. Keep the lower layer lightly moist, with a relatively dry surface.