How to Care for a Texas Collared Lizard

The Texas collared lizard is one of the fastest lizards in the world. It can run at speeds of 16 miles an hour. The lizard runs on two legs making it look very similar to a Tyrannosaurus Rex. Texas collared lizards grow eight to 14 inches long and live for about 10 years. Read on to learn how to care for a Texas collared lizard.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Enclosure
• Sand
• Heat lamp
• Lighting timer
• Full-spectrum lighting
• Basking rock
• Climbing branches
• Hiding rock
• Feeder insects
• Reptile vitamin and mineral supplement
• Shallow water dish

1. Obtain a 40-gallon or larger aquarium for a single lizard. Provide the largest sized aquarium that is practical for your budget and available space.
2. Spread a thin layer of sand on the bottom of your lizard's cage to act as a substrate for easier cleaning.
3. Create a thermal gradient for your lizard so it can self-regulate its own temperature. The temperature should range from 85 to 115 degrees F. This can be done using a heat lamp at one end of the enclosure.
4. Install a full-spectrum reptile bulb. Use a timer to regulate the lighting in the cage to achieve 14-hour days and 10-hour nights.
5. Place a large basking rock, several climbing branches and at least one hiding rock in the aquarium.
6. Purchase feeder insects, such as crickets, mealworms and wax worms, from your local pet store. Dust all insects, before feeding them to your lizard, with a reptile vitamin and mineral supplement.
7. Fill a shallow dish full of clean, non-chlorinated water. Keep it full and clean at all times.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not house multiple males together as they are very territorial. You can however house a single male with a few females.
• High humidity levels can lead to lung infections. The Texas collared lizard likes a very hot and dry climate.
• Do not use gravel as a substrate because the stones can be ingested and cause deadly blockages.