Description: Also known as the Mexican emerald swift and Green spiny lizard, native to forested areas of southern Mexico down to Panama. These are thick-bodied lizards with an emerald green color. Males often have a light blue hue overall and a bright blue belly. Females are not as brightly colored with more grays and browns plus they almost never have a blue belly. Adult size is between 6 and 8" with females being a little smaller than males. If properly cared for they can live for over 5 years, captive-bred swifts may even live a lot longer. They can do well in captivity, rarely try to bite and may even become tame. Males are territorial and should not be kept together in the same enclosure. Females usually get along fine with each other and with males.

Temperature: 75° to 80°F daytime with a basking area around 90°F. A 5° to 10ºF drop at night is okay. A thermal gradient should be provided between one side of the tank and the other.

Humidity: Moderately high – 50 to 70%, daily misting may be required. A humidity gradient throughout the enclosure is helpful.

Lighting: UV lighting is required, the 5.0 fluorescent type will also supply the light to grow some plants. A timer should be used to provide a consistent 12-hour day during the summer.

Feeding: Appropriately sized crickets and mealworms are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other insects should be offered. Feed young swifts lots of small insects daily and adults about 5 or 6 med/large insects every other day or so. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given once or twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing lizards. A shallow bowl of clean water should be available at all times.

Habitat: At least a 20-gallon high tank with a secure, ventilated lid is needed for a pair, use at least a 30-gallon tank for a trio. Set it up as an arboreal forest or jungle habitat with sturdy plants and plenty of climbing branches. Be sure to provide a basking spot, thick branches work well. Several inches of potting soil, mulch, coco fiber or reptile bark (or a mix) are good substrates for the lizards to burrow in. Keep it somewhat moist but not soggy. Add hide boxes and/or caves to make them feel more secure.

Sexing: Males are usually larger with a blue belly and much brighter colors.

Breeding: For the best success with these live-bearing lizards, use 1 male with 2 or 3 females. Be sure that the breeders are healthy and well fed. A cooling period of 1 to 3 months beforehand may be necessary to bring them into readiness. Drop the temperatures to the low 70’s during the day and to the lower 60’s at night, maintaining normal humidity levels. After the cooing period, restore the temps back to normal and breeding should occur. Pregnant females will grow noticeably heavier. When the time is at hand, she will seek out a suitable private place to give birth. 2 to 4 babies are normally produced and they should be placed in their own similarly set up enclosure with warmer temperatures, higher humidity and frequent misting. Feed them lots of tiny insects such as fruit flies and pin-head crickets.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna