Lizards are ectothermic animals, meaning they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. Most lizards prefer warm environments and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures. However, excessive heat or cold can be dangerous or even fatal to lizards. Let’s explore the ideal temperature range for lizards and the temperatures they try to avoid.
Preferred Temperature Range for Lizards
The optimal temperature zone for most lizards ranges between 75-95°F (24-35°C). Within this zone, lizards can effectively thermoregulate and carry out bodily functions like digestion and locomotion. The exact preferred temperature range can vary by species and depends on the climate they evolved in.
For example, desert-dwelling lizards like the Gila monster may have a higher preferred temperature range than tropical forest lizards like anoles. But most lizards thrive when they can maintain a body temperature between 85-90°F during their active hours.
Basking in sunlight allows lizards to gain heat and reach their optimal body temperature. When their body temperature drops below the preferred zone, lizards will bask again to warm back up. If they get too hot, they can cool down by resting in shade, burrowing underground, or flattening their bodies against cooler surfaces.
Ideal Day and Night Temperatures
During the day when they are active, the ideal air temperature for most pet lizards ranges from 75°F on the cool end to 80-85°F on the warm, basking end. The basking spot itself should reach 90-95°F to allow the lizard to thermoregulate properly.
At night when lizards are inactive, the temperature can safely drop by about 10-15°F to 65-75°F. This cooler environment allows the lizard’s metabolism to slow and gives their bodies a rest.
Maintaining the ideal hot and cool zones during both day and night cycles is crucial for a lizard’s health. Use under tank heating pads, ceramic heat emitters, and basking bulbs to create the proper temperature gradients in a lizard habitat.
Temperature Ranges Lizards Avoid
While lizards enjoy warm conditions, excessively high temperatures can put them in danger. In general, lizards will try to avoid ambient air temperatures over 100°F (38°C) and substrate temperatures over 110°F (43°C). At these extremes, they risk overheating and heat stress.
Desert lizards may be adapted to withstand slightly hotter temperatures near 110°F (43°C) for brief periods. But all lizards will quickly retreat to cooler areas if temperatures remain above 100°F (38°C). Prolonged exposure to heat over 105°F (40°C) can be lethal.
On the other end, most lizards cannot withstand cold temperatures below 45°F (7°C) for very long. When the temperature drops too low, they lose their ability to actively thermoregulate. This makes them slow, inactive, and unable to properly digest food.
Temperatures below 32°F (0°C) can be deadly for many lizard species that lack frost resistance. Cold stress, hypothermia, and freeze injuries can set in rapidly.
Ideal Temperature Range for Common Pet Lizards
Here are the ideal daytime temperature ranges for some popular lizard pets:
- Bearded dragons – 85-95°F (29-35°C)
- Leopard geckos – 88-92°F (31-33°C)
- Blue-tongued skinks – 75-85°F (24-29°C)
- Anoles – 80-85°F (27-29°C)
- Uromastyx – 95-105°F (35-40°C)
- Chameleons – 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Crested geckos – 78-82°F (26-28°C)
These ranges allow each species to properly thermoregulate and thrive in captivity. Also ensure the habitat provides a cooler area and warmer basking zone so lizards can self-regulate as needed.
Basking Temperatures
A basking spot or focal heat source should allow lizards to raise their body temperature higher than the ambient air temperature. Ideal basking temperatures are:
- Bearded dragons – 95-100°F (35-38°C)
- Leopard geckos – 88-92°F (31-33°C)
- Blue-tongued skinks – 85-90°F (29-32°C)
- Anoles – 85-90°F (29-32°C)
- Uromastyx – 105-115°F (40-46°C)
- Chameleons – 85-90°F (29-32°C)
- Crested geckos – 82-85°F (28-29°C)
Position the basking light or heating pad to create a hot spot where the lizard can sit to absorb heat. The surrounding habitat can be 5-10 degrees cooler.
Nighttime Temperature Drops
Allowing some temperature decrease at night is healthy for lizards. But avoid letting temperatures plummet too drastically. Here are ideal nighttime temperature ranges:
- Bearded dragons – 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Leopard geckos – 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Blue-tongued skinks – 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Anoles – 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Uromastyx – 70-80°F (21-27°C)
- Chameleons – 60-70°F (16-21°C)
- Crested geckos – 65-70°F (18-21°C)
Use a ceramic heat emitter, red/black night bulb, or under tank heater connected to a thermostat to prevent excessive cooling at night.
Indoor vs Outdoor Temperatures
For lizards kept mainly indoors, maintaining the ideal temperature range is critical since they cannot access natural heat sources. Outdoor enclosures allow lizards more opportunities to thermoregulate and seek shade or sun as needed.
In outdoor enclosures, lizards may tolerate a wider temperature range from 65-105°F (18-40°C) during the day depending on weather conditions. But they still need supplemental heating and refuge from extreme cold or hot spells.
Greenhouses are excellent for outdoor lizard habitats since they retain more ambient heat while still allowing natural airflow. Make sure indoor enclosures replicate temperature zones lizards can naturally utilize both day and night.
Keeping Tropical vs Desert Lizards
Tropical lizards species adapted to rainforests or jungle environments generally thrive at slightly cooler temperatures from 70-85°F (21-29°C). Species like chameleons, anoles, and crested geckos prefer more moderate conditions.
Desert-dwelling reptiles like bearded dragons and leopard geckos prefer hotter ambient temperatures from 75-100°F (24-38°C). Uromastyx originated from African and Asian deserts favor hot basking spots up to 110-115°F (43-46°C).
When keeping lizards out of their native environment, research their original habitat and try to match the temperatures. Provide cooler hides for tropical lizards and hotter basking areas for desert species.
Allowing a Thermal Gradient
Lizards need a thermal gradient both horizontally and vertically in their habitat. This allows them to adjust their body temperature by moving between cooler and warmer areas.
Create horizontal gradients by having a heated side and a cooler side. Place the heat source at one end only. Provide multiple hiding spots and levels on both sides for full thermoregulation.
Vertical gradients are created by heating the basking area higher than the substrate below. Heated rocks and branches allow lizards to climb nearer or farther from the heat source.
Having just one uniform temperature prevents lizards from regulating their temperature as needed. Ensure the habitat provides diverse microclimates.
Heating Options for Lizards
There are several effective options for heating a lizard enclosure to create thermal gradients:
- Under tank heat mats – Attaches below one side of the tank to provide consistent bottom heat of 75-90°F (24-32°C). Best for small tanks.
- Ceramic heat emitters – Emits infrared heat like a light bulb without visible light. Great for 24/7 heating.
- Basking bulbs – Incandescent or halogen bulbs that shine down to create a hot basking zone under the light.
- Radiant heat panels – Mounted inside the tank to gently heat larger areas. Provide more uniform heat than bulbs.
- Flexible heat cables – Can be bent into specific shapes and mounted inside or outside the enclosure to heat designated areas.
Use a digital thermometer with probes and a thermostat or rheostat to adjust and monitor temperatures in different zones as needed.
Heating Large Lizards Enclosures
Large vivariums and outdoor lizard habitats over 4′ long often need multiple heat sources or larger heat fixtures. Good options include:
- Multiple basking lights spaced evenly to create hot zones
- 4’+ heat tape or heat cables
- Large radiant heat panels
- Powerful ceramic heat emitters over 100 watts
- Heavy-duty under tank heating pads designed for large tanks
Space heat sources evenly to establish temperature gradients. Position them at one end or along one side only. Larger fixtures generally provide more directed heat than smaller devices.
Heating Aquatic Turtle Habitats
Turtles require special heating both in and out of the water to meet their needs. Here are some options:
- Submersible aquarium heaters in the water
- Under tank heat mats for the land/basking area
- Above tank basking bulbs focused on land areas
- Floating heaters that clip to the tank rim
Maintain water temperatures of 72-78°F (22-26°C). Basking areas should reach up to 95°F (35°C) under the heat lamp. Provide a large dry dock for full thermoregulation.
Supplemental Heating
In very large enclosures, ambient heat from lighting or appliances can also raise temperatures into lizards’ preferred ranges. Supplemental heat sources include:
- Nearby radiators or household heating vents
- Heat given off from refrigerator/freezers
- Warmth from aquarium pumps and filters
- General room lighting
Factor in all potential ambient heat sources when configuring primary heating devices and thermostats. Routinely monitor temperatures at all levels of the habitat.
Maintaining Proper Humidity
Humidity is another important environmental factor for lizards besides heat. Proper humidity levels are:
- Tropical forest species – 60-80%
- Desert species – 30-40%
- Temperate species – 40-60%
Use commercial humidifiers or misting systems to raise humidity levels. Provide adequate ventilation to prevent excess condensation and mold.
Low humidity under 30% can cause respiratory stress, dehydration, and shedding issues. Keep humid-loving species like chameleons around 60-70% humidity or higher.
Warnings Signs of Improper Temperatures
Monitor your lizard closely for any signs of temperature stress, including:
- Lethargy/inactivity during the day
- Darkening or lightening of skin color
- Changes in appetite or refusal to eat
- Gaping mouth breathing or panting
- Seeking out heat or shade, away from basking area
- Pressing body flat against surfaces
- Unusual aggressive or skittish behavior
- Muscle spasms or tremors
Take immediate steps to correct improper temperatures if you notice these behaviors. Move the lizard temporarily while you adjust heating/cooling devices as needed.
Conclusion
While lizards require specialized heating compared to mammals, creating proper thermal gradients is easy with the right equipment. Provide ambient heat in the optimal range along with localized basking areas for best results.
Monitor temperatures carefully in all areas of the habitat using quality digital thermometers. Adjust heat sources gradually as needed to maintain ideal basking, ambient, and nighttime low temperatures tailored to the specific lizard species.
With appropriate heating and lighting, substrate and shelter options, humidity levels, and other husbandry factors, pet lizards can thrive in captivity.
