Keeping and Breeding of Baja Blue Rock Lizard (Petrosaurus thalassinus (Cope, 1863)) at BION Terrarium Center
BION Terrarium Center has many years of experience in keeping Baja blue rock lizard (Petrosaurus thalassinus (Cope, 1863)) at BION Terrarium Center
Petrosaurus thalassinus (Cope, 1863) is a large diurnal lizard from Phrynosomatidae. Males of this species reach total length (including tail) 45 cm (17.72 in). Females a considerably smaller. Body is flattened with small smooth granular scales covering its entire surface. Scales near the tail are slightly keeled. These lizards are famous for their unique coloration. It includes bluish head with areas around the eyes and on the throat colored in orange-red shades. Back is bluish with grey or dark cross-bands, blue spots and streaks. The back of the tail is gray blue with darker cross bars. During breeding season all colores become considerably brighter
Terrarium. We keep adults in pairs (1.1) or individually. Individuals of same sex are quite aggressive towards each other. We use horizontal terrariums of 100*60*50 cm (39.37*23.62*19.68 in) for one pair. Babies and young lizards are kept in terrariums 60*40*40 cm (23.62*15.74*15.74 inch). We use mix of sand and clay of 2-3 cm (0.78-1.18 in) depth as substrate. Decoration includes rocks, bark, cork for climbing, artificial rocks from gypsum, basking place and several shelters. Also we provide a moist chamber with sand as and egg-laying place for females. Water dish is needed as well.
Lighting. Full spectrum lamp is used for 14 hours at summer and 8 hours at winter for lighting; 100W incandescent lamp is used as heat source for adults and 60W lamp – for juveniles for 14 hours at summer (depends on the temperature in the terrarium) and 8 hours at winter. Full spectrum Zoo Med lamp “Reptisun UV.10” is used as necessary UVB source.
Temperature. Daytime temperatures are +26 – +28 °C (78.8-82.4 F), at basking place – up to +45 °C (113 F). Nighttime temperature is +20 – +22 °C (68.0-71.6 F).
Humidity. During breeding season (February – June) – 70% humidity is achieved by intensively spraying of enclosure with decoration 2 times per day. It is reduced to 50-60% in July.
