Description: Also known as the Southern long tailed lizard and the Egyptian red sand lacerta. This attractive lizard comes from Egypt and northern Tanzania where it can be found in the semi-temperate, semi-desert scrub lands. They can reach a length of 16" but at least 2/3 of that is the tail. This long tail can be broken off and will not look as nice after it regenerates. Juveniles have a red tail until they are nearly adult size. The males can be a little intolerant of each other and should not be housed together in a small enclosure. Although this lizard is capable of moving very fast, it is a fairly calm pet that tames down quickly.

Temperature: 75° to 85°F daytime with a 5° to 10°F drop at night and a basking site of around 90°F. Seasonal temperature variations should be allowed to occur.

Humidity: Moderate, 40 to 50%. A humidity gradient between one side of the tank and the other is beneficial. This can be accomplished well by keeping the side where the water dish is located a bit cooler and spraying that area down occasionally.

Lighting: UV should be provided to keep them healthy, the 5.0 fluorescent type is sufficient. Use a timer to provide a consistent day length cycle of between 8 and 12 hours, depending on the season.

Feeding: Appropriately sized crickets and mealworms are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other insects should be offered. They may also eat bits of fruit or lap up nectar and fruit baby food. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given 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: A 15-gallon or larger tank with a screen lid will work well. Set it up as a savanna/forest vivarium with real or artificial plants, climbing branches and hiding places. They will burrow so precautions must be taken with rocks or other heavy tank décor to prevent tunneling accidents. The substrate can be bark, coco-fiber, sand or a mix. Keep it slightly damp.

Sexing: Adult males may be a little larger with brighter colors than females but this is unreliable.

Breeding: The normal breeding season begins in April with the eggs being laid starting in June. The best chance for success will be after a 2 to 3 month winter cool period with shorter days. After things are brought back to normal, the male should begin to pursue the female in an attempt to mate. Some time later, the female should begin to grow noticeably heavier and the male should be removed if she is aggressive towards him. When she begins to search out a suitable site to bury her eggs, be sure to watch closely so that you know where the nest is. She will look quite thin afterward and you will know that the eggs have been laid if you missed watching her. Usually 6 to 12 eggs are laid and they should be placed in an incubator at 80 to 82°F. Hatching will start in about 2 or 3 months and could be spread out over a few days.

The babies can be cared for in the same manner as the adults and can be kept together for a few months until territorial aggression between the males intensify.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna