Curly Tailed Lizard
The picture of the curly tailed lizard on the hand above is not a healthy curly tailed, it is actually a lizard that has been kept without UVB and has developed the beginnings of metabolic bone disease. The kinking and lumps at the base of the tail are the visible symptoms of this disease, which is common in lizards due to improper care.
The curly tailed lizard, or Leiocephalus, is a tropical insectivore native to the Bahamas and Cuba. Common to the intercoastal waterways of Florida, they can be found basking on rocks, sidewalks and near the beaches. There are 28 species of curly tailed lizards and the species are differentiated by the locale in which they are found.
Minimum housing requirements for a single curly tailed lizard is a 20 long tank, with a hot side on one end and a cool side on the other end. The hot side should consist of a bright hot basking light that creates a basking surface temperature of 95-100^F, and a cool side averaging 75-85*F. The curly tailed will "thermoregulate," or go from one side of the tank to the other to regulate his own body temperatures, so a good temperature range is important. A tropical strength UVB is necessary for the processing and absorption of calcium, and quality brands are the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube. Compact/coil UVBs are not the best quality and should not be used. Mount the UVB on the same side of the tank as the basking light, as close to it as possible. Provide a rock directly under the basking light to provide belly heat, and make sure this is a natural rock or paver and not an electronic heat rock. Heat rocks should never be used with lizards, as they can easily malfunction and have hot spots that may burn your lizard.
Please note that lizards need unfiltered UVB, meaning that you need to purchase a UVB bulb for them. Simply putting their enclosure next to a window does not provide UVB. The window and enclosure glass will block the UV, and that is considered filtered light.
The curly tailed lizard, or Leiocephalus, is a tropical insectivore native to the Bahamas and Cuba. Common to the intercoastal waterways of Florida, they can be found basking on rocks, sidewalks and near the beaches. There are 28 species of curly tailed lizards and the species are differentiated by the locale in which they are found.
Minimum housing requirements for a single curly tailed lizard is a 20 long tank, with a hot side on one end and a cool side on the other end. The hot side should consist of a bright hot basking light that creates a basking surface temperature of 95-100^F, and a cool side averaging 75-85*F. The curly tailed will "thermoregulate," or go from one side of the tank to the other to regulate his own body temperatures, so a good temperature range is important. A tropical strength UVB is necessary for the processing and absorption of calcium, and quality brands are the Reptisun 5.0 linear tube. Compact/coil UVBs are not the best quality and should not be used. Mount the UVB on the same side of the tank as the basking light, as close to it as possible. Provide a rock directly under the basking light to provide belly heat, and make sure this is a natural rock or paver and not an electronic heat rock. Heat rocks should never be used with lizards, as they can easily malfunction and have hot spots that may burn your lizard.
Please note that lizards need unfiltered UVB, meaning that you need to purchase a UVB bulb for them. Simply putting their enclosure next to a window does not provide UVB. The window and enclosure glass will block the UV, and that is considered filtered light.
|
Other items that should be included in the set-up are a low water dish, a food dish for worms, and a hide. The substrate of choice for the curly tailed is play sand which you can find at a home improvement store. 2" of substrate would be adequate and would give room for the curly tailed to burrow into the sand, which they normally do at night to sleep. It is not uncommon for the curly tailed to burrow into the sand for a day or so, so do not be alarmed if you do not see your lizard for a day.
|
Curious curly tailed lizard often is poised for flight.
|
The enclosure humidity should be kept at around 60% and can be achieved by misting the basking area, rocks and sand periodically in the morning so the heat can help to create humidity throughout the day. Measure the humidity with a digital hygrometer and develop a misting schedule. Often two to three times a week is enough to keep the humidity ideal.
Curly tailed lizards can eat a variety of insects and worms, all of which should be no longer than the width of the space between your lizard's eyes. Crickets, small roaches, silkworms, mealworms, small superworms, butter worms and small black soldier fly larvae are all healthy feeders for your curly tailed.
Typically hands-off lizards, the curly tailed will appreciate the 'look but don't touch' relationship with his owner. They can otherwise get nervous and hide for extended periods when overhandled. A good trick is to perform tank cleaning and to feed the curly tailed in the morning early, before he has unburied himself from the sand.
Curly tailed lizards can eat a variety of insects and worms, all of which should be no longer than the width of the space between your lizard's eyes. Crickets, small roaches, silkworms, mealworms, small superworms, butter worms and small black soldier fly larvae are all healthy feeders for your curly tailed.
Typically hands-off lizards, the curly tailed will appreciate the 'look but don't touch' relationship with his owner. They can otherwise get nervous and hide for extended periods when overhandled. A good trick is to perform tank cleaning and to feed the curly tailed in the morning early, before he has unburied himself from the sand.
Bahamas National Trust information page on the Curly Tailed Lizard as part of their Reptiles in the Bahamas series.
|
An article in Anole Annals titled 'Curly Tail Lizards Eating Brown Anoles' and describes the issues surrounding the anole population with the rise of the invasive Curly Tailed.
|