Crotaphytus collaris lives in desert areas of USA and Mexiko. It is really important to create conditions they have in their original enviroment.  Otherwise lizards can became lethargic, they are inclinable to diseases.

Important requirements:

• Terrarium.
• Heating.
• Lighting.
• Food.

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TERRARIUM
Terrarium is much more better than akvarium.

• to have openings in front size (not the top) is important - for many lizards are predators wild birds, when they see movement above their heads, they instinctively get stressed and prepared.
• circulation of the air - that is almost imposible in akvarium. When we consider high temperatures for breeding, some circulation of the air is really important.

Size: Collared lizard can use every bit of place you gave them. If you imagine pictures of lizards, sunbathing on one rock all day, that is not that case. They will run, jump, climb and dig. For a pair one meter long terrarium is optimal. In larger areas you can see them running on two limbs - just like in a wild.

HEATING

• apr. 30 degrees of Celsius for terrarium, plus even higher temperatures in basking area. Under a bulb or heating source, temperature can reach 40 and more degrees of Celsius.
• heat and cold size of terrarium - always keep one size of terrarium without a heating. Colder area lizards need for thermoregulation.
• source of heating - classic bulbs will be enough. Depending on size of a terrarium and distance 40W or 60W will be enough. Try one and measure temperatures - under it and in other areas of a terrarium. Use one with better results.

LIGHTING
This is one of crucial aspekts. Crotaphytus collaris is a desert lizard and in desert intensity od lighting is realy strong. They need not only strong lighting, but also lighting of high quality. That is lighting, covering all scales of sun lighting.

• UV-B lighting is a MUST. These lighting stimulates absorption of Calcium and is vital for animals. Even good-quailty UV-B lighting can be expansive, it is realy a MUST. It sustain lizards in good condition that is important for brumation in winter for example. There is a plenty of UV-B lighting sources, the best is to choose one based on recomnendations of experienced terrarist. Some sources can be even dangerous.
• sunny - that is how the terrarium should look like for a desert. Many terrarists will confirm, strong source of qualite lighting make miracles with animals. They will become more active, more colourfull and more vital.

FOOD
Collared lizards have no special requirements, they can eat anything moving and lesser than their heads. (Sometime even larger)

• vitamin and mineral supplement - use for every feeding (or according description).
• periodicity - adults every other day, juveniles daily.

Provide variety of live insect, such as crickets, mealworms, waxworms, kingworms, butterworms.

SOME TIPS

• air circulation - for optimal circulation use terrarium with at least one ventilation point at the front or on the sides of terrarium.
• substrate - too small sand is hard to move on, larger sand can be eaten. I prefer medium size sand (up to 0,5 cm).
• caves, hide boxes - important part of terrarium, these lizards hides in the night or when their stressed. Very important "stress reliever". When making your own cave from stones, be sure it is stabilezed, glued best.
• natural look back wall and branches - lizards loves to climb.
• lighting - point UV-B source on the back wall and branches. Lizards can choose optimal distance of source.
• UV-B lighting - with distance, it is loosing its efectivity. 30 cm and less(depending on type) is optimal. Every UV-B lamp should be replaced after 6 months apr.
• heating - aim the bulb on the stone. It will heat him and create also heating stone.
• heating stones - can be dangerous in case of overheating and burning the animal.
• heating mats - can cause ventral infections and burnings.
• drinking bowl - provide one, keep it in the colder part of terrarium. In hot watter bacterias breed better.
• misting - mist twice a day. Not every Crotaphytus drinks from bowl. They have watter also from food.
• night temperature - it is good when night temperature is lover, 20 degrees of Celsium.