🦎 General Info

The Jeweled Lacerta (Timon lepidus) is a strikingly beautiful medium-to-large lizard native to southern Europe, particularly the Iberian Peninsula and some parts of France. It is named for the vibrant, jewel-like patterning across its body—typically bright green with blue, turquoise, or yellow spotting and a melanistic trait/morph for some species making them all black. Adults reach 16–24 inches in total length, including the tail. Males and females have slight difference's between them with males getting slightly larger, and bigger heads than their female counterparts. They are active, intelligent, and highly curious reptiles that can become tame with regular, gentle handling.

Enclosure

  • Size: Minimum 4 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft for one adult; bigger is almost always better for every species so long as you provide the proper set up so they always feel secure in their home.

  • Material: Glass or PVC vivarium with good ventilation, we personally use PVC for its benefits of holding heat and being lighter, giving us the ability to stack out enclosures.

  • Substrate: A soil/sand mix or bioactive substrate 4–6 inches deep to allow burrowing, help keep humidity levels steady, and plants to grow if you decide to go bioactive.

  • Décor: Provide rocks, logs, branches, and hides for climbing and security. Include both basking and shaded areas.

Temperature & Lighting

  • Basking Spot: 95–105°F

  • Ambient Temperature: 75–85°F

  • Night Temperature: Can handle down to 65–70°F, we keep ours right around 70°F at night

  • UVB Lighting: UVB light is essential. Use a 10–12% UVB tube or equivalent (T5 HO recommended). Replace bulbs every 6–12 months per manufacturer’s instructions. Not using UVB light will lead to MBD (metabolic bone disease) which will lead to permanent damage and ultimately fatal.

  • Day night/cycle: 12–14 hours of light daily. They are diurnal meaning they are most active during the day time.

Humidity & Water

  • Humidity: 40–60% provide a humid hide with damp moss during shedding, you can mist the enclosure as needed to maintain humidity.

  • Water: Provide a shallow water dish for drinking and soaking; keep it clean and fresh daily.

Diet

  • Type: Primarily insectivorous, with occasional fruit or greens.

  • Staple Foods:

    • Crickets, roaches, mealworms, silkworms, locusts, and other gut-loaded insects.

  • Supplements:

    • Calcium powder: 3–4 times per week.

    • Multivitamin: 1–2 times per week.

  • Occasional Treats: Soft fruits (berries, banana, mango) and snails and pinky mice. With pinkies, should be fed very sparingly as it can be high in fat content and can lead to weight issues.

Behavior & Handling

  • Temperament: Generally bold and active, though juveniles can be skittish and males sometimes being a little more aggressive but not always the case.

  • Handling: Start slowly—allow the lizard to get used to your presence. Adults often become calm and tolerate gentle handling.

  • Enrichment: Offer climbing opportunities and rearrange décor periodically to stimulate exploration.

Health & Lifespan

  • Lifespan: 12–20 years in captivity with proper care.

  • Common Health Issues:

    • Metabolic bone disease - this can come from poor UVB or calcium deficiency

    • Respiratory infections - which can arise from excess humidity or low temps

    • Parasites - watch for tiny bugs crawling around on your Lacerta and/or in their waste as you are cleaning the enclosure.

  • Dehydration or retained shed: Keep humidity stable and provide a moist hide.

  • Prevention:

    • Maintain correct heat, UVB, and humidity levels.

    • Provide balanced calcium and vitamin supplementation.

    • Ensure a clean water source and well-ventilated setup.

  • Signs of Illness:

    • Lethargy or dull coloration

    • Loss of appetite

    • Labored breathing

    • Soft jaw or limbs (MBD)

    • Irregular shedding or stuck skin

Final note:

The Jeweled Lacerta is a breathtaking, intelligent, and rewarding reptile for keepers who appreciate active, display-oriented species. They thrive in large, naturalistic enclosures and reward attentive care with bold behavior and engaging personality.

These lizards are perfect for intermediate to advanced keepers who enjoy observing natural behaviors, basking displays, and feeding responses. With the right environment — bright light, space to explore, and consistent handling — the Jeweled Lacerta quickly becomes a standout centerpiece in any reptile collection.