Plan for one adult Eublepharis macularius.
Site and hygiene
RSPCA Australia recommends a quiet location away from drafts and direct sun, with room for growth. Window glass blocks UVB; window sunlight cannot replace suitable lighting.
The CDC advises keeping reptiles and equipment outside food areas. Plan to clean equipment outdoors where possible; otherwise use a laundry sink or bathtub and disinfect afterward. Wash hands with soap and running water after equipment contact.
Build usable ground
RSPCA minimum: 60×30×40cm (L×D×H), secure, cleanable and ventilated; choose larger. House singly. Add warm/cool hides, low sturdy rocks, daily-changed shallow cool-end water and a separate waterproof damp-moss hide; keep moss moist.
Healthy adults with correct husbandry: about 50:50 organic soil/clean play sand; avoid builder's sand, calcisand, beech chips.
Measure the gradients
| Measure | Target |
|---|---|
| Basking | 28-30°C |
| Cool end | 24-26°C |
| Cool-end humidity | 30-40% |
| UVI | 0.7 basking; 0 shade |
Guard lamps. Use thermostatic control; measure both ends with thermometers. Measure humidity with a cool-end hygrometer; ventilate if high. Keep UVB toward the warm end; measure UVI at animal height. Follow maker distance/replacement instructions. Red-eyed morphs need veterinary lighting advice.
Use 12-hour light/dark periods. Nights below 18°C need thermostatic unlit ceramic heat at 18-20°C.
Run an empty trial
Run empty at least a week; adjust and recheck temperatures/humidity daily. Controller setup.
