MrSpectrum":2xdj75ez said:
kingofnobbys":2xdj75ez said:
the tank needs to be AT LEAST 2 or 3 x the length of the lizard
I'm really liking this as a "new" standard for enclosures, as described here:
Reptile Housing: Size, Dimension and Lifestyle
but there's a
LOT of resistance.
Looks very similar to the NSW reptile keepers' code of best practice ( I'll add the link later ).
https://reptilepark.com.au/animals/reptiles/dragons/frilled-neck-lizard/
https://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:afd.taxon:3cabd997-b0ac-4ccd-8918-ae44ec1b556b
Note NOT a suitable dragon for beginners.
caresheet https://www.herpshop.com.au/CareSheets/Frillies.html
Best
caresheet I have seen for FND is
http://nswfmpa.org/Husbandry%20Manuals/Published%20Manuals/Reptilia/Frilled%20Lizard.pdf
Summary
The desired temperature at the hot end of the exhibit should be around 35° to 38°C and a cooler end at around 24° to 27°C.
If night time temperatures fall below 18°C a night heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter can be used to provide enough heat to keep the animals warm on cold night as these heating elements give off little light.
Humidity levels for Frilled Lizards should be maintained between 50 - 70% and this can be provided by supplying lizards with a large shallow bowl.
Respiratory infection may occur if humidity levels become too high.
FNDs are tropical woodland and savannah terrestrial dragons and require VERY high levels of UVB wavelengths which help prevent Metabolic Bone Disease and strengthen and improve growth in lizards as well as producing high levels of UVA wavelengths which help to increase appetite and normal behaviour, eg. Reproductive behaviour. An example of full spectrum lighting is Zoo-med T5HO Reptisun 10.0 UVB and Exo-Terra Repti Glo 10.0 .
'The breeder I know used Arcadia T5ho 14% Tubes in his 1.8m tall FND enclosures ( they like to climb and will often bask inside 30cm of their T5ho 14%
UVB light.
A T5ho 10%UVB tube should be placed no more than 300mm above the lizard ( no mesh lid under the tube , tube in a good quality reflector hood. Full spectrum lighting should be replaced approximately every 12 months, as their effectiveness diminishes with age (ie. with long term use).
Photoperiod the breeder uses in summer is 16 hours ON, 8 hours OFF, in winter he reduced to 13 hours ON.
The breeder I know has a mixed group of 3 dragons, 2 female + 1 male in this specially made enclosure .
For this species a good size enclosure would consists of the following dimensions: 240cm (L) x 240cm (W) x 180cm (H) for a single pair of Frilled lizards.
EAPA Standard 2004 calls for 238cm (L) x 238cm (W) x 240cm (H) for a single pair of ADULT Frilled lizards.
His FNDs come out to free range in the house everyday as a group.
I know a few other keepers who live in Qld and NT who have their FNDs in large converted outdoor pits with bird cage wire to keep the dragons in and predators out.
Melbourne Zoo uses just plain river sand (Mike Swan.)
Taronga Zoo uses a sandy soil mix with eucalypt leaves scattered on top. (Michael McFadden)
Sydney Wildlife World uses eucalyptus mulch , Gosford Reptile Park does the same , as does the breeder I know. The mulch is gathered locally from farmland and crownland (forests) as are fallen tree branches used as "furnature". This extends from floor to about 30cm from the top of the indoor enclosure ( essentially a small converted bedroom ).
Hatchling Frilled Lizards can be kept on newspaper or absorbant heavy duty kitchen grade paper towels.
Feeding schedule :
Taronga Zoo:
Feed frilled lizards predominantly House Crickets (Acheta domesticus), but add in other invertebrates such as African Migratory Locusts (Locusta migratoria) and Speckled Roaches (Nauphoeta cinerea). Insects are coated in calcium or multivitamins.
Feeding increases in Spring and Summer throughout the breeding season to ensure the females have sufficient energy to replenish energy used during breeding.
The varied diet ensures the animals get a range of prey which may be beneficial in terms of nutrition and also in terms of enrichment.
Lizards are fed 3 times a week (Michael McFadden.).
Melbourne Zoo
Insects (Grasshoppers, Crickets etc).
No breeding / non- breeding diet.
No alternative diets used.
Lizards are fed 3 times a week. (Mike Swan).
Australian (Gosford) Reptile Park
Frilled Lizards fed pinkies, Crickets and Greens.
Greens Include: Endive, spinach, Bok choy and Choy sum or other dark leafed asian vegetables & fruit are suitable.
Food is increased for the breeding season and supplemented more with calcium.
Diet kept as natural as possible.
Lizards are fed 3 times a week. (Sam Chatfield)
The breeder I know follows this.
Fresh
drinking water must be provided at all times. Water can be given to Frilled Lizards via one of two forms (can be sprayed 2-3 days weekly).