Meet Julius - Timon Lepidus

dannybgoode · 01-18-16, 10:12 AM

Or in the UK known as the Eyed Lizard or over the pond more commonly as the Jewelled Lacerta (and this is where the name Julius fits in, and something latin-ish and a name with a bit of impact).

Couple of phone shots below. The markings on him are out of this world, a really fantastic specimen.

Will try and keep this thread updated as he grows and colours up, should turn the most vivid green whilst keeping the iridescent blue spots.

Nightflight99 · 01-18-16, 10:18 AM

Looks great!

**Minkness** · 01-18-16, 10:26 AM

Man, so jelly right now! Lol

I have wanted one for years, just not sure it will fit into my collection. I can't wate to see how he grows and colors up!

dannybgoode · 01-18-16, 11:06 AM

Thanks guys - he is a stunner. You can see why I had to pounce on him and pester Mrs Danny to bring my birthday present forward.

Would have been upset had someone else got in there first.

Sylphie · 01-20-16, 05:38 AM

Ooooh I'm looking forward to your experiences with him as it's one of my few dream lizards (and one that I'll most likely buy someday) <3 Please, share as much as you can about him!

dannybgoode · 01-20-16, 05:44 AM

Thank you Sylphie - I will!

Funny because I never considered a lizard before being more of a snake person but saw this one and fell in love.

They're flighty at first, very flighty but put the time in and handle every day and they become very nearly as tame as bearded dragons.

The only other thing I can tell you at the moment is they eat like gannets. He had 11 crickets yesterday!

I'm going to repost those photos later but host them on my server so a) they're the right way up and now cropped a bit and b) they'll be bigger so you can really see the detail. Already got some really vivid green coming through.

Sylphie · 01-20-16, 05:50 AM

Thank you! I'm a snake person too, but Timons are just too amazing to not wanting one!

And good to know about handling, as every article I read about them says that they are more of a "look but don't touch" lizards... and well, I like to handle my reptiles at least sometimes, haha!

I'm waiting for better pics then, and all the best for that little man!

dannybgoode · 01-20-16, 07:30 AM

More pictures below (one still upside down and I can't fix it so will have to do for now!).

Regarding handling - they do make an excellent choice for an outdoor viv (old greenhouse for eg) in most parts of Europe but kept outdoors they do remain very skittish around people.

Kept indoors and handled regularly from an early age they calm right down and will in most cases become shoulder perchers, sofa companions etc but you do have to put the work in and be confident of grabbing them gently and restraining by gently putting a thumb on the back to slow them down and wear them out when you first start handling them.

Like with snakes - 5 - 10 minutes a day at first then increasing.

If you click to enlarge the pics below you'll see just what a specimen this one is...

**Minkness** · 01-20-16, 07:34 AM

I am like you Sylphie about the desire to handle, at least some times. I have heard the same about these lizards though, that they can tame down, just takes work. But that's everything imo. I even have a leo I never handled much, and still hates being nadled. He croaks and screams and tries to tail whip when being oicked up lol. Once picked up though he's good. And I have a crested gecko I got for free because she's a total spazz and was deemed unhandleable by her previous owner. When I got her she was also mean and defensive. The day I got her she flailed and lept from my hands, belly flopped on the floor, and bit my big toe! She's calmed down alot, but she's still a spaz lol.

Sylphie · 01-20-16, 07:37 AM

He's already stunning!
And good to know about handling, it certainly made me wanting them more, haha.

There is now an offer for 2.0, 39$ each on a local snake forum, babies from summer 2015... but well, I must wait till we move to the big house, as I don't have a space for big viv I want to made for my future Timon. Here is the pic made by breeder:

dannybgoode · 01-20-16, 07:47 AM

Nice looking lizard that - plenty of colour, particularly the blues which when they are young is what you look for.

The only need a 36"x18"x18" viv for the first couple of years. Some care sheets state that is fine for an adult but I think that is on the small side. What I may well do is upgrade the boa to a 5' viv in a couple of years and then put Julius in the that viv.

Alternatively they'll both get bigger vivs and then I will have two empty ones to put more reptiles in

(but shh, don't tell my wife!).

**Minkness** · 01-20-16, 07:49 AM

Sounds like a plan!

Sylphie · 01-20-16, 07:52 AM

Yeah, it really tempts me, but well, having a frequently sick snake, dog with allegry and a plan to build a house in the near future we don't have as much spare money as I would like to have while taking next animal. I guess I just need to wait for 2-3 years when the biggest commitment with building home will be gone

Hahaha, and I like your plan, true reptile addict way!

sirtalis · 01-20-16, 10:36 AM

Those are neat, Iv'e considered getting these in the past, they remind me of monitors/tegus in a way

**Minkness** · 01-20-16, 10:45 AM

I was thinking the same thing!!! Not sure if they have hold the same intellegence and personality as moniters and tegus though.