Things You'll Need
- Terrarium with cover
- Substrate
- Ultraviolet-A light
- Ultraviolet-B light
- Timer
- Shallow bowl
- Thermometers
- Heat lamp
- Hiding accessories
- Water dish
- Food
- Vitamins
Instructions
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1
Line the bottom of your terrarium with 3 inches of aspen shavings or a substrate sold at pet stores. Do not use sand or crushed walnut shells because ingestion can be fatal. Always keep your lizard's environment dry.
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2
Mount ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B lights as well as a heat lamp inside the cage. Keep all lamps out of the lizard's reach. Read the product directions for safety.
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3
Place two stick-on thermometers on the terrarium glass, close to the bottom. The temperature should stay between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit at one end, and around 72 degrees at the other end.
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4
Connect the lamps to a timer; allow eight hours of darkness and cooler night temperatures. However, never allow the temperature to drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
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5
Provide several places for your blue tongue lizard to hide; leaves, bark or fake foliage work. Avoid keeping your pet lizard's cage near any outside heat sources, including windows. Rooms with excessive noise or vibrations can stress your lizard.
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6
Provide a basking rock directly under the heat source (do not use heat rocks). Place a large, heavy, shallow bowl of water in your blue tongue lizard's terrarium; keep it away from the heat source. Keep it full of fresh water for bathing and drinking.
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7
Feed your lizard a plate of fresh-chopped fruits, vegetables and live insects twice weekly. If you have a baby blue tongue lizard, offer food daily until it is fully grown. Avoid placing food directly on the bedding to avoid ingestion of substrate.
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8
Spot-clean the cage daily. Wash out the water bowl and give fresh water daily. Clean the cage every three weeks and replace the substrate.
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9
Handle your blue tongue lizard frequently; wash your hands before and after holding it. Support your lizard's legs and cradle its body; do not grab its tail or hold it in an unnatural position. Take your lizard outside daily in warm weather; provide a safe and secure outdoor area so it can bask in the natural sunlight.
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