The Basics:

This is a very active, alert and lively lizard that lives by its keen senses and quick reflexes in nature. However, it’s also a nervous animal that needs a quiet hiding place where it can withdraw to for security. The Rainbow Ameiva is essentially green in color with slightly yellowish coloration on the sides. It likes to climb on branches.

Enclosure:

This is an active pet so it needs room to move around. A vertically oriented 20-gallon aquarium with secure screen top for ventilation works well for the Rainbow Ameiva. It is generally best to keep one Rainbow Ameiva in an enclosure as a solitary pet.

Substrate:

Digging is important to this long-toed lizard, so provide 2-3 inches of substrate. Reptile bark, and shredded coconut bark are good choices. Be sure to inspect substrate daily and remove waste, debris, uneaten food and soiled areas.

Temperature:

The ambient temperature in a Rainbow Ameiva’s enclosure should range from 80°- 89° Fahrenheit during the day, with a basking area of about 100° Fahrenheit. At night, temperatures can be lowered to 68°-75° Fahrenheit. Use an overhead light and undertank heater to heat enclosure. Use digital thermometers positioned at different heights to ensure that proper temperatures are maintained throughout the enclosure.

Lighting:

UVB light is essential to the health of this animal. The Rainbow Ameiva must be exposed to 10-12 hours of UVB light daily (Longer light periods should be in the summer, and shorter periods in the winter.) UVB light must always be kept on a day-night cycle. Read below.

Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating:

All reptiles, including this pet, must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. (See the lighting entry above for the specific length of this animal’s day/night cycle.) The day period must be light; and night must be dark. A timer should be used to set day/night periods. If a heat source is required to maintain correct nighttime temperatures, use heat mats or strips mounted below or on the side of the tank, infrared heat lamps, ceramic heat emitters, or a combination of these products. This will allow the enclosure to be heated while remaining dark. Follow directions carefully with all products. If ceramic heat emitters are used always choose fixtures with porcelain or ceramic sockets and to protect against fires do not place them by dry wood or flammable fabrics. Ceramic heat emitters must be kept out of the reach of children and all pets, including dogs and cats.

Humidity:

It is very important to maintain adequate humidity in a Rainbow Ameiva’s enclosure. The ideal humidity level is 65-80% maintained by misting twice a day with chlorine-free water. Use a hygrometer to measure humidity levels.

Supplements:

Dust insects with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile's food should be dusted more often than an adult's. Follow product label directions when applying supplements, and avoid over-supplementing food. The following is a possible supplementing schedule for this reptile. Our veterinarian recommends dusting insects with a plain calcium supplement every time they are offered to the pet. (Avoid using a calcium supplement with added phosphorous, unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, since this can promote kidney disease.) Our veterinarian also recommends dusting insects with a D3 supplement once a week and a vitamin supplement two times a month. This is only one recommendation, consult your veterinarian for specific directions on supplementing your pet’s food, since there are many variables that go into determining the best supplementing regimen for a given animal.