Care Sheet for Grass LizardsAverage Rating Given To This Care Sheet Is 4.11 (1=lowest, 5=highest) Last Updated: 03/19/2006 |
Main Category: | Lizards |
Sub Category: | Grass Lizards |
Care Sheet Submitted By: | Fyrfytr310 |
Years Experience: | 1 to 2 Years |
Species: | Long Tailed Grass Lizards |
Other Species or Phases this Care Sheet May Cover: | It is best to consult a species specific care sheet in lieu of relying on a universal one. |
Sexing and Characteristics: | Dark/ light green with spots/stripes. They are typically 10-12 inches long and can be extremely active. Males will have a slight bulge at the base of their tail while the females of this species will not. |
Mostly Active During: | Day |
Substrate and Water Needs: | A forest bark of some variety. Preferably one that will not promote any type of splintering or injestion which could cause an impaction. This is fairly easy to maintain and will most importantly encourage the natural burrowing/ digging behaviour of the Long Tail. This substrate also makes it difficult (not impossible) for crickets and mealworms to disappear for days. |
Lighting and UVB: | As a Diurnal creature, meaning they are most active during the day, full spectrum (UVA and UVB) lighting is a must. Provid this lighting for 10-12 hours a day. An automatic timer works great. Without full spectrum the Long Tail may develop problems in processing calcium which can ultimately kill you reptile. |
Temperatures and Humidity: | Ambient or "room temperature" inside the enclosure should be within 75F to 85F. While under the basking light temperatures should be between 88F to 96F and at night the ambient temperature should be cooler around 65F to 70F. The Long Tail is a humidity loving reptile. Ideally keep the humidity in the high 70% range. This can be achieved with frequent spraying, wise substrate choice and the use of a hygrometer. |
Heating and Equipment: | Under tank heaters are ideal because of heat distrubution and safety. As long as there is a liner over the heated section of you enclosure then there is virtually no chance of you Long Tail of being burned. Avoid heat rocks with this species, they may not realize that it is too hot for them and they will burn. |
Caging Provided: | The larger the better. Around 15 gallons for the first and between an additional 5-10 gallons for each additional lizard. Be sure to have enough substrate for the lizards to burrow and dig, around 3 inches. Provide a water dish that is easily accessible both by you and you Long Tail. Ensure that there is plenty to climb on either plastic plants and/or vines. And most importantly you must provide plenty of hiding places: logs, caves, trees, thick plants etc... This will aid in the prevention of stress that is very common in captive lizards. |
Diet: | Carnivorous |
Description of Diet: | Small crickets two to three times a week for adults and twice that for juveniles. I have found that crickets will encourage the natural hunting tactics of you Long Tail and will in turn reduce stress. Also mealworms and if you have an exceptionally large long tail superworms will suffice. For variety provide these mealworms, waxworms and maybe a red wiggler or two. Provide clean water that is either continuously filtered or changed no less than every two days and purified to remove hard metals and chlorine. |
Supplements, Nutrition and Usage: | It is best to pre feed or what is commonly called gutload your live feed prior to giving them to your Long Tail. This will ensure that they are recieving the proper nutrients and aid in a long healthy life. Early I spoke of calcium deficiency so as you can imagine it is highly recommended to coat your crickets and mealworms with a calcium powder to again prevent this deficiency. |
Maintenance: | I clean my tank thoroughly once a week meaning that I place my Long Tails in a separate environment, completely remove/replace the substrate, scrub all surfaces with Healthy Habitat or another rep friendly cleaning agent, ensure that all fecal material is removed from all plants and hide aways and ensure there is no compromise to the structural integrity of every part of their habitat. |
Some Words on this Species: | The Long Tailed Grass Lizard is a fairly docile creature that will fall asleep on you shoulder and become very trusting with frequent attention. I never recommend purchasing a pet for the shear novelty of the matter but if you are looking to explore the world of reptiles and want a smooth begining then this is a good way to go. Keep in mind that this species can live in excess of 5 years and grow to 12 inches (75% being the tail) so provide accordingly. This species can be somewhat unpredictable with their individual personality but that just adds to the excitement. My two girls are identical in sizing and coloring but are nothing alike in their activity and desire to be held. It can make for some interesting cleanings. All in all, make an informed decision, do your research and ultimately have fun with you reptile. |
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