How to Care for a Curly Tailed Lizard

Curly tailed lizards are well matched with first-time lizard owners because they are relatively simple to care for and they can live up to ten years. The most major concerns to be aware of are the lizard's ability to make a quick escape and its potential susceptibility for illness in temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the diurnal curly tailed lizard is native to the tropical regions in Peru, Cuba and the Caribbean islands off the coast of Florida, it is comfortable in 83 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day.

Things You'll Need

Sand
Peat moss
15 gallon aquarium with a screen lid
Rock caves
Branches
Rocks
Incandescent bulb
Thermometer
Box of live crickets
Box of live mealworms
Box of live superworms
Shallow dishes for food and water
Applesauce baby food
Leafy green lettuce
Vitamin D3 calcium supplement

Instructions

- 1
  Mix equal parts sand and peat moss and pour it into the bottom of a 15 gallon aquarium tank until the mixture is at least two inches deep.
- 2
  Place rock caves, branches and rocks firmly down on top of the mixture. Keep the screen lid closed when your lizard is in the tank.
- 3
  Avoid picking your lizard up unless it is completely necessary. The lizard will struggle and could lose its tail as a result.
- 4
  Hang the incandescent heat bulb from the screen lid directly above the top of a rock cave in the tank. Maintain a temperature of 88 degrees Fahrenheit on the top of this rock cave during the day to give your lizard a warm basking spot.
- 5
  Feed your lizard crickets, mealworms and superworms in a shallow feeding dish.
- 6
  Provide applesauce baby food or leafy green lettuce every three days. Add a combined Vitamin D3 calcium supplement to the dish. Wait half an hour and move the leftover fruit puree or lettuce into your cricket container.
- 7
  Provide a low water bowl for drinking water and change the water every day.