Desert Spiny advice?

[GarterGirl]

I have just inherited a Desert Spiny male (Sceloporus magister), about two years old, and in great health. I have been doing a bunch of research since he was dropped on me, but I was wondering if anyone else has kept these feisty guys, and what kind of advice they could pass along. He'll be getting some natural light (safely), proper temperature via lamp and a nice dark rock to bask on, crickets and roaches daily as well as mealworms occasionally, and plenty of substrate to burrow in should he feel so inclined.

I have heard some contradicting information on food- that I should include some veggie matter (such as that provided in a Beardie's diet), that I shouldn't and should just dust the bugs instead. Anyone know for sure which is more natural?

Finally, I know these guys can be super active- what do you think the ideal tank size would be? He's in a 15gallon right now, but if needed I could move him to something larger.

I'm normally a snake person, though I've had a few lizards in the past, so I'm a little rough around the edges here...

[DragonsEye]

I've never kept any of the Sceloporus species because of their needs (primarily space is the issue). From what I had read when I had considered getting one, even a single animal should be kept in a minimum 30 gal tank -- and bigger is far better. Because they are extremely active make sure to supply a lot of perches and branches (about 2X the body thickness) in diameter in vertical as well as horizontal orientation. Supply numerous hides. Hopefully someone with real experience will chime in.

[simpleyork]

uvb needed, larger cage the better, personally with my cages I go as close to natural looking as possible. Kept Granite Spiny's in the past and they were fine on dusted insects.
I personally(so don't take my advice on this next part to heart) feel they are a hands off display animal only. Enjoy your spiny as they are fun to watch!

[GarterGirl]

Thanks for the responses! I was honestly worried that no one would have personal advice, since most people don't keep them.
He's been on natural light, but as winter approaches that won't be an option- so I'll get a UVB setup as soon as possible. I knew the larger cage was a thing- right now he's in a quarantine tank, but once he's out of that I'll make sure he's in a good size tank. I too stick with natural displays, and I already have a number of local rocks, branches, etc baking for him. I'll make sure I don't skimp on it.
I heard about the hands off. I love animals with attitude, and take pride in 'taming' them. So far he's responding to me with slightly less 'killkillkill' in his eyes- but his name is officially Hele Aku (it means "Go away"). I hope to be able to tame him, his future mate, and all future children. I'm crazy like that.

I do have a question about hides. He has two hide options right now- a natural 'bramble' type one made of sticks and such, and a terracotta hide. He refuses to use either, however, and simply beds down in the middle of the cage. Is this normal, or is he just not satisfied with the hides provided?

[simpleyork]

what i've done, i'll try to get a photo up in a day or two for a better visual, I've attached the black drainage pipe to the bottom of wooden cages and then covered in sand/substrate, so it's more like a "rodent" burrow type hide.
BUT if he appears to you that he is active, eating and otherwise in good health I wouldn't swet it too much.
I've got a beardy that once he got used to the cage he was in, stopped using his hides all together. He likes to sleep on a branch, doesn't miss a night in the exact spot.

[GarterGirl]

I've made burrows for other critters, so I'll give that a shot and see if it makes him happier. Thanks!
Otherwise, yes- he is eating well, basking, drinking, and overall showing signs of being a 'happy' lizard (as happy as a Spiny can be, anyways.)

[formica]

UV light does not go thru glass - also you shouldnt put a glass tank in sunlight, it will over heat. you need a UV light asap

[infernalis]

UV light does not go thru glass - also you shouldnt put a glass tank in sunlight, it will over heat. you need a UV light asap

This ^^^^^^

I have read far too many posts over the years of people losing animals because a tank in sunlight becomes a solar oven.

[DragonsEye]

This ^^^^^^

I have read far too many posts over the years of people losing animals because a tank in sunlight becomes a solar oven.

Agreed. I lost a T once that way. I hadn't counted on the sun shifting throughout the day. Morning or late evening was fine but around noon the sun's angle put it square on the viv. :(

[GarterGirl]

It's not coming through glass, it's coming through a screen. I know about overheating and amplified heat, etc. etc. etc. I'm not a newbie on this. I also know most of you won't believe me, and it would be much easier to convince you if I could just take a freakin' picture of it.

[simpleyork]

we just want to help, please don't get upset. We are not trying to be aggressive, though it can be hard to tell via text on the internet.

[murrindindi]

It's not coming through glass, it's coming through a screen. I know about overheating and amplified heat, etc. etc. etc. I'm not a newbie on this. I also know most of you won't believe me, and it would be much easier to convince you if I could just take a freakin' picture of it.


Hi, you probably already know this but for anyone that doesn`t; if the holes in the screen are less than 6mm (1/4 inch) much of any UVB rays will be blocked. I`m not sure if you were meaning sunlight or just natural daylight coming into the tank?