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== Taxonomy == '''Order:''' Squamata <br /> '''Family:''' Cordylidae <br /> '''Genus:''' Gerrhosaurus<br /> '''Species:''' major == Introduction == == Difficulty == '''Advanced''' - but only because the level of specific care requirements needed in lighting and heating to keep your plated happy and healthy. These are a very easy lizard to handle. == Basic Info == === Size === They average at about 20". Some may become a little longer while some remain a bit smaller. Half it's length is the tail. === Lifespan === So far these lizards are living about 8-12 years. === Handling === Sudan plated lizards are somewhat shy lizards, but become accustomed to people rather quickly. There are not many breeding programs for any of the plated lizard species so many are WC specimens. Even newly captured plateds are not very prone to biting. They can bite and one should not be surprised if this happens. It's natural and to be expected. It just doesn't happen very often. == Housing == === Substrate === Plated lizards love to dig. They're very good at it. A fertilizer-free potting soil lightened with clean sand and orchid bark shreds will work well. Newspaper is easier to clean and easy to feed on, but they are made for burrowing and will do quite well on the substrate mixture. My plated enjoys the children's playsand very much, but not only did it make the already heavy cage even heavier, it was hard to keep the sand out of the food with his digging. I have offered him instead a kitty litter pan filled with sand and his hide sits in it. I will soon be changing to a covered rubbermaid container so the sand stays in it better. === Temperature === Use a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer w/hygrometer for the best accuracy. You can get these for about $15 - $20 U.S. currency. Once you get the thermometer your goal is meeting the required temperature gradients in three different spots: * Basking: 95-110 * Ambient: 80-85 * Cool end/night time: 70-75 Without the correct temps, especially the high basking temps...all that good food going in will not get digested properly and organ functions will be trying to run on less than ideal capacity. Nutrients are lost and illness sets in. === Humidity === Sudan plated lizards come from very arid regions. However, they should have a moist hide in which they can turn around in for aid in shedding. Females will often lay their eggs in this. This can be as easy a a rubbermaid container with a lid and a hole large enough for the lizard to get in and out of. Fill this with a sand/moss mixture. In the wild there are damp areas within the rocks and hides they seek out in the heat of the day. === Lighting === Basking lights are very easy and inexpensive if you stay away from the pet stores for this one. They need a photoperiod with daylight and nighttime as they would in their natural home. Instead of using the expensive "reptile basking lights", go to your local retail store and get a regular incandescent light bulb, such as what you would use for a lamp. Igs should NOT have night heat unless their nighttime temps go below the lowest temp requirements. Their bodies need to regulate to lower temps in order for them to "rest and recharge" for the next day. Not all UVB lights are created equal. Some decay very quickly. You need no less than two 4' fluorescent UVB tubes. Short version - UVB helps the ig to process the calcium in their diet. Without the UVB...the calcium does not get absorbed and the result is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) and renal failure. The brands to go with: Tubes: * Reptisun 5.0 or 10.0 * Iguana Light 5.0 * Exoterra 8.0 * Arcadia 5.0 (UK) Merc Vapors: * Mega Ray EB (external ballast) [http://www.reptileuv.com ReptileUV] * Mega Ray SB (self-ballast) * T-Rex 100W or 160W Active UV Flood & Spot Lamps (available in many stores) Many of these can be purchased at [http://www.reptiledirect.com Reptile Direct] for a more reasonable price than the pet stores. Once you provide these lights for your ig...set them in the 6" - 8" range (12" - 18" for the Mega Rays). Any farther and the UVB drops of so much that they don't do any good. A note on the compacts and spirals. These are no good for large lizards and reptiles. They do not cover nearly enough of the animal to benefit them. A UVB meter is an excellent way to keep on top of your bulbs. Some EXCELLENT sources on UVB at the bottom. == Feeding == === Diet === === Supplements === === Hydration === == Advanced == === Sexing === === Breeding === == References == === Websites === === Books === == Author == This article was originally written by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=64 prism_wolf]. View other articles by [http://www.thereptilefile.com/wiki/index.php?title=Category:prism_wolf prism_wolf]. Please note that others may have contributed to this article. [[Category:Care Guides]] [[Category:prism_wolf]]

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