Jeweled Lacertas, scientifically known as Timon lepidus, are fascinating reptiles that make intriguing pets for reptile enthusiasts.
They are a relatively small species of lizard, and not very common in the pet trade, despite being relatively easy to care for. Jeweled lacertas are known for their beautiful coloration, which includes bright green scales with blue spots.
Jeweled lacertas are beautiful and interesting lizards that can make great pets for reptile keepers of all experience levels.
However, it is important to do your research before getting a jeweled lacerta to make sure that you can provide it with the care it needs.
Jeweled Lacerta Care Sheet
| Common Name: | Jeweled Lacerta |
| Scientific Name: | Timon lepidus |
| Lifespan: | 10-15 years |
| Size as Adult: | Up to 24 inches |
| Weight: | 100-200 grams |
| Diet: | Carnivorous (insects, small vertebrates) |
| Enclosure Size Requirements: | At least 40-60 gallons |
| Enclosure Temperature Requirements: | 75-85°F (day), 65-75°F (night) |
| Humidity Requirements: | 40-60% |
General Information
Jeweled lacertas, also known as ocellated lizards or jeweled lizards, are a species of lizard native to southwestern Europe.
They are a relatively small species of lizard, with adults typically ranging in size from 16 to 24 inches long. Jeweled lacertas are known for their beautiful coloration, which includes bright green scales with blue spots.
Jeweled lacertas are diurnal lizards, meaning that they are active during the day. They are also semi-arboreal lizards, meaning that they spend some of their time in trees.
Jeweled lacertas are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, scrublands, and rocky areas.
Husbandry
Jeweled lacertas require a terrarium that is at least 40 gallons in size.
Jeweled lacertas are also shy lizards, so it is important to provide them with plenty of hiding places in their terrarium.
You can provide hiding places by using rocks, logs, and other decorations.
Substrate
Jeweled lacertas are burrowers, so they need a substrate that is at least 6 inches deep.
A good substrate for a jeweled lacerta is a loose substrate such as sand or a sand-soil mix. You can also use a commercial reptile substrate.
It is important to keep the substrate clean and dry. You should spot clean the terrarium daily and remove any waste or uneaten food. You should also do a complete substrate change once a month.
Lighting
Jeweled lacertas need a heat lamp and a UVB lamp in their terrarium. The heat lamp should provide a basking spot of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
The UVB lamp is essential for providing your lacerta with the vitamin D3 it needs to stay healthy.
The heat lamp and UVB lamp should be turned on for 12 hours per day and turned off for 12 hours per day. This will create a day-night cycle for your lacerta, which is important for its health.
Temperature
The temperature in the terrarium should range from 75 to 85 degrees
Fahrenheit on the cool side and 95 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit on the warm side. You can use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the terrarium.
It is important to provide your lacerta with a basking spot where it can warm up. The basking spot should be around 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
The humidity in the terrarium should be around 30 to 40 percent. You can use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in the terrarium.
You can increase the humidity in the terrarium by misting it with water several times a day. You can also place a shallow dish of water in the terrarium.
Dietary Needs and Feeding Schedule
Jeweled lacertas are insectivores, meaning that they eat insects.
A good diet for a jeweled lacerta consists of a variety of insects such as crickets, roaches, and mealworms. You can also feed your lacerta occasional treats such as pinky mice and fruits.
It is important to dust the insects that you feed your lacerta with calcium powder. This will help to ensure that your lacerta is getting enough calcium, which is essential for strong bones and teeth.
Jeweled lacertas should be fed once a day, or once every other day if they are adults. It is important to not overfeed your lacerta, as this can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Always provide fresh water in a shallow dish for hydration.
Things to Consider
Taming and Handling
Jeweled lacertas are relatively easy to tame and handle. The best way to tame a jeweled lacerta is to start by offering it food by hand.
Once the lacerta is comfortable eating from your hand, you can start to pet it gently.
It is important to be patient and gentle when taming a jeweled lacerta, as they can be easily stressed.
Once your jeweled lacerta is tame, you can start to handle it more regularly. However, it is important to always handle your lacerta with care.
Jeweled lacertas have delicate skin and bones, so it is important to avoid squeezing or grasping them too tightly.
Costs and Maintenance
The initial cost of purchasing a jeweled lacerta can range from $100 to $300 USD.
The cost of maintaining a jeweled lacerta is relatively low. You will need to purchase a terrarium, food, and substrate.
The terrarium should be at least 40 gallons in size and should be equipped with a heat lamp and a UVB lamp.
The food should be a high-quality insectivore diet. The substrate should be a loose substrate such as sand or a sand-soil mix.
Comparison to Other Species
Jeweled lacertas are a relatively easy-to-care-for species of lizard. They are smaller and less active than some other species of lizards, such as bearded dragons and iguanas.
Jeweled lacertas are also less common than some other species of lizards, so they can be more challenging to find, but they make for a more unique and exotic choice.
Overall, jeweled lacertas are a good choice for reptile keepers of all experience levels. They are a relatively easy-to-care-for species of lizard that is also very beautiful.
PetsWithScales.com is an informational website about big lizard pet care. We collect and provide information from different sources across the web on how to keep and care for reptiles as pets. The species we mainly deal with are tegus, monitor lizards, skinks and geckos. Our aim is to provide high quality information to help pet owners make better, more informed decisions about their animal’s diets, health and life.