Timon lepidus — Fact Sheet

Timon lepidus

📋 At a glance

🏠 Enclosure

• Large horizontal, escape-proof vivarium with strong ventilation
• Practical adult minimum: 180 x 60 x 60 cm; larger is strongly preferred
• Deep dry soil/sand/clay substrate that allows digging
• Keep singly unless there is a controlled breeding plan and spare separation enclosures

🪨 Enclosure furniture

• Hot basking platform, cool retreat, and several tight hides
• Stable rocks, cork, roots, and low branches for climbing and cover
• Damp retreat or humid pocket to support shedding
• Heavy decor must be supported securely so digging cannot collapse it

💡 Lighting

• Bright visible light and strong UVB are required for normal behaviour and calcium metabolism
• Ferguson zone 3-4; aim for UVI 3-5 at basking height, with shaded areas close to zero
• Photoperiod: 10-12 h; no visible night light
• Use a separate heat source if the basking surface is not warm enough

🌡️ Temperature

• Basking surface: 38-45 °C

• Warm zone: 28-32 °C

• Cool zone: 20-25 °C

• Night: 16-22 °C

• Provide a clear gradient across the full enclosure

• Measure basking surfaces with an infrared thermometer and air temperatures with digital probes

• Avoid heat rocks and unguarded heat sources

💧 Humidity & water

• Mostly dry, well ventilated enclosure with a moisture gradient
• Provide a heavy shallow water dish
• Keep one hide or substrate pocket slightly damp for shedding
• Avoid constantly wet substrate and stagnant air

🪳 Diet

Feed regularly:

• Crickets, locusts, dubia or discoid roaches, red runners, silkworms, and black soldier fly larvae

In moderation:

• Safe captive snails, small amounts of fruit, tender greens, and edible flowers

Avoid:

• Wild-caught insects from pesticide areas, oversized prey, and excessive fatty larvae

Supplements:

• Calcium and controlled vitamins as needed; UVB does not get replaced by powders

🩺 Health — warning signs

• Nose rubbing or damaged snout
• Poor appetite, constant hiding, or lethargy
• Soft jaw, tremors, or weak movement
• Retained shed on toes or tail
• Weight loss, abnormal droppings, bite wounds, or tail injuries

Consult a reptile- or exotic-animal veterinarian for injury, swelling, severe weakness, breathing signs, or prolonged refusal to eat.