Male & Female Pink Belly Swift WC

Pink Bellied Swift

Care Sheet

Male Pink Belly Swift WC

Pink bellied swifts (Sceloporus variabilis) are a small to medium sized lizard originating in America – from North to South and Mexico.

They are named after their appearance as the males have pink bellies which can be seen when they sit with their head up.

Females are not as colourful but are still rather pretty.

Bronze Bio-Active Kit

HOUSING YOUR LIZARD

Pink Bellied Swifts, specifically Sceloporus variabilis, are semi-arboreal lizards like many species of swift.

There are different ways that you can keep swifts which can either be a glass or wooden vivarium and can be a terrestrial or an arboreal vivarium as both can be adapted to suit.

If using a wooden vivarium, a minimum size of 3 feet should be provided (equivalent to a medium reptihome) to allow these stunning lizards to exhibit their natural behaviors, including lots of running around.

A sand/soil mix is ideal for pink belly swifts as it mimics their natural habitat where they frequently encounter both elements. Bio life or a mix of sand and forest subsrate would work well. They also require a basking lamp providing temperatures of 92-95 degrees (F) and an ambient temperature of 80-83°F. During the night, temperatures should be allowed to drop to 70-79°F, but they should not go below this range. UVB light should be supplied at a UVI of 3 to ensure the lizards maintain strong skin and bones through proper calcium absorption.

Provide rocks and decor for your lizard’s enrichment. Cork bark hides placed at both ends of the enclosure offer your animal a safe place to hide and rest.

If you aim to establish a bioactive enclosure, you can add live plants. Custodians, such as isopods, can assist in cleaning your pet’s waste. Artifical plants are also suitable if you do not wish to create a bioactive environment. Slate, stone, cork, and branches can be utilized to construct a multi-level tank for your pink belly swifts.

HOUSING YOUR LIZARD

Pink Bellied Swifts, specifically Sceloporus variabilis, are semi-arboreal lizards like many species of swift.

There are different ways that you can keep swifts which can either be a glass or wooden vivarium and can be a terrestrial or an arboreal vivarium as both can be adapted to suit.

If using a wooden vivarium, a minimum size of 3 feet should be provided (equivalent to a medium reptihome) to allow these stunning lizards to exhibit their natural behaviors, including lots of running around.

A sand/soil mix is ideal for pink belly swifts as it mimics their natural habitat where they frequently encounter both elements. Bio life or a mix of sand and forest subsrate would work well. They also require a basking lamp providing temperatures of 92-95 degrees (F) and an ambient temperature of 80-83°F. During the night, temperatures should be allowed to drop to 70-79°F, but they should not go below this range. UVB light should be supplied at a UVI of 3 to ensure the lizards maintain strong skin and bones through proper calcium absorption.

Provide rocks and decor for your lizard’s enrichment. Cork bark hides placed at both ends of the enclosure offer your animal a safe place to hide and rest.

If you aim to establish a bioactive enclosure, you can add live plants. Custodians, such as isopods, can assist in cleaning your pet’s waste. Artifical plants are also suitable if you do not wish to create a bioactive environment. Slate, stone, cork, and branches can be utilized to construct a multi-level tank for your pink belly swifts.

Bronze Bio-Active Kit
Pink Bellied Swifts, specifically Sceloporus variabilis, are semi-arboreal lizards like many species of swift. There are different ways that you can keep swifts which can either be a glass or wooden vivarium and can be a terrestrial or an arboreal vivarium as both can be adapted to suit. If using a wooden vivarium, a minimum size of 3 feet should be provided (equivalent to a medium reptihome) to allow these stunning lizards to exhibit their natural behaviors, including lots of running around. A sand/soil mix is ideal for pink belly swifts as it mimics their natural habitat where they frequently encounter both elements. Bio life or a mix of sand and forest subsrate would work well. They also require a basking lamp providing temperatures of 92-95 degrees (F) and an ambient temperature of 80-83°F. During the night, temperatures should be allowed to drop to 70-79°F, but they should not go below this range. UVB light should be supplied at a UVI of 3 to ensure the lizards maintain strong skin and bones through proper calcium absorption. Provide rocks and decor for your lizard's enrichment. Cork bark hides placed at both ends of the enclosure offer your animal a safe place to hide and rest. If you aim to establish a bioactive enclosure, you can add live plants. Custodians, such as isopods, can assist in cleaning your pet's waste. Artifical plants are also suitable if you do not wish to create a bioactive environment. Slate, stone, cork, and branches can be utilized to construct a multi-level tank for your pink belly swifts.

HANDLING YOUR LIZARD

Pink Bellied Swifts are generally fairly tame lizards who can get used to handling over time, which may take a few weeks to a few months.

If you decide you would like to handle your swift, you should take certain steps such as approaching slowly and supporting the body properly to prevent causing stress or injury to the animal.

As with any new reptile pet, we recommend handling within the enclosure to start off with to allow the pet to acclimate to its new environment and reduce stress. To handle your lizard properly, gently place your hand inside the tank, support its body from underneath, and avoid grabbing the tail or legs to prevent injury or stress. Gradually increase the handling sessions to a few times a day for a short while. Once your lizard is comfortable with you, you can take it out, but ensure to stay close to the tank and handle on the floor to prevent any accidents.

If your lizard is stressed, you will notice it trying to get away and darting around the tank, indicating that it is not in the right state for handling. If your lizard is stressed, it’s best not to handle it at that time to avoid causing further stress or harm to the animal.

Avoid handling your lizard just before or just after you feed as it can cause stress and may lead to the lizard refusing to eat.

Male Pink Belly Swift WC

GENERAL CARE

Genus, Species Sceloporus variabilis
Adult Size 10-15cm
Habitat Forest/Beach edges
Lifespan 5+ Years
Diet Insects dusted with calcium +D3
Ambient Temp (f) 80-83
Basking Temp (f) 92-95
Humidity (%) 60 UVI 1.0-2.6 (Shade) 2.9-7.4 (Max bask)
Locality USA Difficulty 2
Breeding Age 18-24 months old
Social Structure Single males, one to several females (providing enough tank space is offered)

GENERAL CARE

Genus, Species Sceloporus variabilis
Adult Size 10-15cm
Habitat Forest/Beach edges
Lifespan 5+ Years
Diet Insects dusted with calcium +D3
Ambient Temp (f) 80-83
Basking Temp (f) 92-95
Humidity (%) 60 UVI 1.0-2.6 (Shade) 2.9-7.4 (Max bask)
Locality USA Difficulty 2
Breeding Age 18-24 months old
Social Structure Single males, one to several females (providing enough tank space is offered)

Male Pink Belly Swift WC
Male & Female Pink Belly Swift WC

SEXING YOUR LIZARD

Pink belly swifts are fairly easy to sex due to the colour difference in sexes.

Males have 2 oval pink shapes on their bellies which can be seen either by watching them when they sit with their heads up, or gently holding them and turning upside down. Females have a much paler undercarriage, which is all 1 colour.

SHOPPING LIST

SHOPPING LIST

Male Pink Belly Swift WC

HEALTH CHECK

Eyes- Eyes are clear with no sign of puss, inflammation or milky appearance. Eyes are free of black spots in corners which could signify mites.

Skin- The skin is clear of shed and there are no cuts or scrapes on the lizards skin. Occasionally locusts or crickets can nip the skin of the lizard. Always remove live food that is not eaten after the lizards meal to prevent further bites and stress which can stop your lizard eating.

Limbs- All the limbs are moving correctly and the lizard is able to walk and move normally. Lizards can suffer from a condition called MBD (metabolic bone disease). This occurs when lizards do not have enough calcium D3 and causes their bones to grow abnormally, eventually restricting their movements. MBD cannot be reversed so always dust livefood with calcium twice a week to avoid MBD occurring.

Weight- Many lizards in captivity are overweight which is generally a result of the lizard being fed on worms alone or fed too often. Feed your lizards a mixed diet of locusts, crickets, roaches, mealworms and pinkie mice to adults as a treat..

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