Introduction
Emerald Swifts (Sceloporus malachiticus) are an active diurnal lizard that makes a beautiful display species! They are a small species native to Mexico and Central America.
Size & Longevity
Emerald Swifts will only get up to 8 inches long including tail, females typically only get up to 6 inches however. They typically have a lifespan of about 5-10 years.
Tank
A single Emerald Swift should have a 10 gallon terrarium. Add an additional 10 gallons for every Emerald Swift that is added to the tank.
Ex. 1 Emerald Swift should have a 10 gallon, 2 should have a 20 gallon, 3 should have a 30 gallon, etc.
Emerald Swifts do best in a glass tank with a screen lid for ventilation due to their high humidity needs, however, a screen tank can work if you use a fogger or spray it multiple times a day. They love to climb up high so a taller tank rather than a longer tank would be best for them.
Substrate
Emerald Swifts should have a humidity holding substrate such as organic topsoil, eco earth, reptisoil, or a bioactive substrate. Emerald Swifts also will occasionally burrow in the substrate so it should be at least 2-3 inches deep.
Heating
Emerald Swifts like to bask so they should be provided a heat lamp. The hot spot/basking area should reach 87-92 degrees Fahrenheit. The ambient tank temperature should reach about 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and can drop to 62-65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. If the night temps get too cold you can use a ceramic heat emitter connected to a thermostat at night.
Lights?
Emerald Swifts do not need any special lighting but will benefit from a UVB striplight turned on for 12 hours during the day.
*NOTE*- If you choose not to use a UVB striplight you ill need to dust all food with calcium D3 as well as calcium without D3 and vitamin supplements.
Water & Humidity
You should provide your Emerald Swift(s) with a small water dish filled with fresh water daily. The humidity should range from 65-80%. This can be achieved by a fogger or misting several times a day.
Food
Emerald Swifts are insectivores and should have a staple diet of gutloaded and dusted crickets and/or dubia/discoid roaches. They be occasionally fed gutloaded and dusted mealworms and superworms. For treats they can have gutloaded and dusted waxworms and small hornworms.
*NOTE*- All food should be dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements.
Handling
Emerald Swifts are not a species that likes to be handled. They are very skittish and will run if you try and handle them. Once you can get them in your hand they are usually very docile and will rarely bite. But try to only handle when absolutely necessary as handling will stress them out.
Cohabitating?
Emerald Swifts can be cohabited successfully. They do best in pairs or trios but never house more than 1 male together as they fight for territory and the females. Make sure if you are keeping more than 1 Emerald Swift together that you have adequate space. 10 gallons for 1 Emerald Swift, 20 gallons for 2, 30 gallons for 3, etc.
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