Long-tailed Grass Lizard Takydromus sexlineatus
The elegant Long Tailed Grass Lizard is native to Southeast Asia. . In captivity, they are quite docile and may be kept in large community terrariums. They are energetic lizards and are very fun to watch. They enjoy climbing and they should be provided with plenty of things to climb as well as higher areas on which to bask. The tails are indeed long; in fact, some Long Tailed Grass Lizards have tails that are longer than their bodies are.
DO NOT FEED WILD INSECTS OR INSECTS FOUND AROUND THE HOUSE – THEY MAY CARRY DISEASES THAT COULD BE DEADLY TO YOUR PET
Average Size - Up to 12 inches long
Life Span - 5+ years
Diet - In captivity, Long Tailed Grass Lizards eat insects like crickets, fruit flies, superworms, waxworms, butterworms and other grubs. Make sure the diet is varied as a diet consisting only of grubs may not be nutritionally complete.
Feeding - Feed adults every other day; juveniles daily; provide a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement once or twice a week and calcium daily
Housing - Long Tailed Grass Lizards should be kept in terrariums of at least 15 gallons in size with screen lids.
Size - Appropriate size and shape habitat for an adult lizard to accommodate normal behaviors and exercise substrate - Use pelleted, mulch-type or reptile bark
Habitat - Humidity should be around 70%, and for this reason, substrates like peat moss or bark chips may work nicely. Daily misting can also help. Provide perching and hiding areas with limbs and cork bark
Temperature - Full spectrum UV lighting is recommended. The basking spot should be between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the ambient temperature of the tank should be in the low 80s during the day and the low 70s at night.
Lighting - Provide needed UVB rays with full spectrum fluorescent light for 10 to 12 hours a day; incandescent bulb is needed for basking area if not using a ceramic heater
Water - Provide a constant supply of clean, fresh, filtered, chlorine-free water in a shallow bowl that cannot be tipped over
Recommended Supplies:
- Habitat with secure lid
- Full spectrum fluorescent light
- Drip system
- Humidity gauge
- Vitamin/mineral supplement Mist bottle
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- Thermometer – actually one for each side of the cage
- Non-toxic plants; branches
- Book about your pet
- Incandescent light or ceramic heater
| Normal Behavior and Interaction
The Long Tailed Grass Lizard makes an amusing, easy to care for pet, whose lovely appearance and agile antics can amaze you for hours. Never grab lizards by their tail, as some may detach the tail if pulled Most will become tame with regular handling.
Long Tailed Grass Lizards usually lay two to three eggs. Mating may be stimulated through use of full spectrum lights and varied photoperiods.
Long tailed lizards are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day
Habitat Maintenance
Thoroughly clean the tank at least once a week: set lizard aside in a secure habitat; scrub the tank and furnishings with a 3% bleach solution; rinse thoroughly with water, removing all smell of bleach; add clean substrate
Grooming and Hygiene
Always wash your hands before and after touching your lizard or habitat contents to help prevent Salmonella and other infectious diseases
Lizards regularly shed their skin; ensure humidity of habitat is appropriate to allow proper shedding
Signs of a Healthy Pet:
- Active and alert
- Healthy skin
- Clear eyes
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- Eats regularly
- Clear nose and vent
- Body and tail are rounded and full
| Common Health Issues and Red Flags:
- Mucus in mouth or nose
- Lethargic
- Swelling
- Labored breathing
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- Abnormal feces
- Bumps, sores or abrasions on skin
- Weight loss or decreased appetite
| Respiratory disease – labored breathing and mucus in the nose and mouth. A cold or damp habitat is commonly the cause. Contact your veterinarian.
Metabolic bone/vitamin deficiency – inability to absorb calcium due to insufficient UVB light. This can result in deformities and soft bones, swollen limbs and lethargy. Contact your veterinarian.
Vitamin A Toxicity - This is a common problem that occurs when dragons are over supplemented. Many multi-vitamins contain levels of VitA and should be offered sparingly. Toxicity is characterized by a swelling of the throat and eyes, and proceeding to a bloating of the body and lethargy.
Internal Parasites - Symptoms of internal parasites include weight loss, worms in the stools, runny stools, gaping and listlessness. If you observe a combination of these symptoms you should take your bearded dragon to a veterinarian to have a stool sample examined to determine if there are any parasites present and if so, what kind they are. Follow their recommendation for treatment.
If you notice any of these signs, please contact your exotic animal veterinarian.
As with all pets in this category, it is important that you find a veterinarian that practices in EXOTICS – this is critical. The typical small animal practitioner may not have sufficient knowledge in this area. Even this guide is general in nature and should not be used to diagnose your pet.
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