Emerald Swift Care Guide

LIFE SPAN

3-5 years

AVERAGE ADULT SIZE

6-8 inches

CAGE TEMPS

Basking spot – 90-95 0 F

Day time temps – 75-80 0 F

Night time temps – No to drop below 70 0 F

CAGE HUMIDITY

60% 

ENCLOSURE SIZE

A 20 gallon or larger tank is needed for 1-2 Emerald Swifts. 

SUBSTRATE

We recommend a coconut fiber or mulch substrate deep enough for your lizard to burrow in.

BRANCHES & PLANTS 

Emerald Swifts must be provided with plenty of climbing branches, perches, and rocks. Live plants can help increase the humidity in your lizards enclosure and also offer cover for hiding and security.

UVB LIGHT

Emerald Swifts must be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is critical in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium.

DAY/NIGHT LIGHT CYCLES & HEATING

Emerald Swifts must be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is critical in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium. 

WATER 

A large bowl of clean fresh chlorine-free water must always be available.

FEEDING

Emerald Swifts are completely insectivorous and require a variety of different live foods. Emerald Swifts should be offered insects 5-6 days a week.

PROTEIN

Protein sources such as: gut-loaded crickets, mealworms, roaches, superworms, waxworms and hornworms should all be offered in a varied diet.

SUPPLEMENTS

Dust food with calcium supplement and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile’s food should be dusted more often than an adult’s.

HABITAT MAINTENANCE

Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month.

NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION

Emerald Swifts are quick, usually non-aggressive lizards that should not be handled, but make excellent display pets. They are diurnal, which means they are most active during the day. Housing Emerald swifts together in pairs or alone is recommended.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES

• 20 Gal (or larger) aquarium tank with secure metal mesh lid
• Small dome & appropriately sized heat light
• UVB bulb & housing
• Temperature/humidity gauge
• Under tank heating pad – placed under same side of tank as basking light
• Coconut fiber or mulch substrate
• Live or artificial plants (reptile-safe)
• Branches and rocks to perch ad climb
• Hide house
• Large water bowl – big enough to soak in
• Live food
• Calcium and vitamin supplements
• Spray bottle
• Water dechlorinate drops

Vet Approved

Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.

For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.

Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.

For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.

Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.