Thinking of starting a group of sceloporus

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FishFreak95

Piranha
MFK Member
Jul 3, 2009
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New Mexico
Im thinking of catching some sceloporus(not sure of the species, I think there are a couple different ones) and keeping a male with a group of females starting this spring. Lets say I get 1.4, How much area do they need? Height? Also what bulbs do you recomend to provide the right spectrum of light? Any keepers that could give advise?

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Any info to add at all?

For those who don't know what sceloporus is its blue belly lizards, swifts, fence lizards, spiny lizards, and sagebrush lizards.

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It is tough to give to much advice on scelops without knowing which species you are leaning towards. Some are more temperate, some are more desert types, some terrestrial, and some at least are partially arboreal. Sceloporus are just too diverse a group to give a general husbandry sheet. Do you have any parameters or ideas about what type of species you are looking at?
 
oh sorry lol. I'm in New Mexico so im dealling with desert species. I think there are blue bellies, spiney and sage brush lizards. I think my library has a book on NM reptiles, ill check to be sure.

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If they are local animals, do you have the space to do an outdoor enclosure? The experience will be SO much different, not better just different.
 
I don't think I want to do an outdoor enclosure. I do have the space though. I'll think about it. I also want to attempt to tame them so im probably going to get yearlings or hatchlings. Im also looking into raising and breeding crickets, is it worth it?
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With the species you are talking about and the numbers, 1.4, I would like to see at least something 36" long. I would make sure they had a good basking light, access to quality UV, plenty of basking sites to reduce competition, and spot for egg deposition. A small water dish and the occasional misting with keep them hydrated and happy.

For just 4-6 animals I would not suggest trying to breed crickets. These guys really work crickets over when they are feeding so cricket size is usually not a big concern for adults. However, the time and effort you would have spent caring and rearing crickets could be used providing wild insects from an untreated field. The nutrient value will show up in the lizards body conditioning and colors. I have no data to back it up, but I feel I get better breeding success with my lizards when I can provide them with uncultured insects. Also, do not be afraid to try the occasional piece of fruit of veggie. Here in the midwest you can find S. undulatus often foraging around garbage cans picking at fruit. It just be an accident that they end up eating these things while trying to catch insects but don't hesitate to add to their variety.
 
Thanks for the info, I am probably going to do outdoor enclosure. I am thinking of planting it with native plants and and attempting to get a population of native insects to form. then stocking it with a male and a small harem of females. I found that nearly all of the sceloporus is undulatus here.

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