Peru Sun Lizard (Liolaemus spp)

Common Name: Peru Sun Lizard

Scientific Name: Liolaemus spp.

The semi-arid desert areas of South America is home to the Peru Sun Lizard. Theire bodies are made to be in hot climates, as their scales are much harder than your average lizard.

Natural Location: South America

Estimated Size: 3 inches to 6.5 inches

Food & Water
Peru Sun Lizards are insectivores, meaning they eat insects. In captive care they should be fed a varied diet including crickets, mealworms, silkworms, and butterworms. They may also eat earthworms from time to time. Remember to use a multi-vitamin supplement on the insects every couple of days. When your Peru Sun Lizards are young, feed them everyday. When they are adults, feed them every second day.

Keep a shallow water dish in the habitat. Your Peru Sun Lizard will drink water from the dish. Make sure to change the water every day, as it may become dirty. Lizards tend tow defecate in the water, and if this happens, change the water immediately.

Lighting, Temperature & Humidity
For sufficient lighting for your Peru Sun Lizard, use full spectrum UVB lighting. Keep the lights on a 12 hour daylight cycle.

You must also use either incandescent lighting or a ceramic light emitter to produce a temperature range from 75 degrees F to 80 degrees F. There must also be a basking spot that reaches 90 degrees F. Drop the temperature at night down to 70 degrees F.

Keep the humidity level at 30 percent. A daily misting will accomplish this.

Housing
The minimum size habitat for a Peru Sun Lizard should be about 30 inches x 12 inches x 18 inches. These lizards are from a desert environment, so use a playsand substrate. Make sure to remove any small pebbles from the sand, as they can be ingested and lead to impaction. Place large stones and low branches from your lizards to climb over, and bask on. You should also create an area in the habitat that is cooler, allowing your Peru Sun Lizard to regulate its body temperature.