Lepidothyris fernandi

Tropical terrestrial terrarium of the burrowing type, well enclosed and ventilated, with a deep layer of substrate.

Minimum for a single adult; provide larger (120x60 cm) for a pair or for enrichment. Favour floor space over height. Provide hides, bark, roots and leaf litter. Secure lid: a powerful, burrowing species capable of moving the décor.

Moderate to high humidity. Keep the deep substrate layer slightly moist while maintaining a drier surface and good ventilation to avoid stagnation and mould. Light misting as needed.

A deep, loose layer of at least 10-15 cm to allow natural burrowing, moist at depth and drier at the surface. Leaf litter and hides reduce stress and encourage taming.

Recommended. Low to moderate UVB (5-6% tube, target UVI ~1-2 in the exposed area) supports calcium metabolism and diurnal wellbeing, even though the animal often hides. Pair it with calcium/D3 supplementation. Always provide shaded and refuge areas.

Clean water bowl available at all times, large enough for an occasional soak. Renew regularly and clean to avoid contamination.

West and Central Africa (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon...). A forest species living on the floor of humid tropical forests, forest edges and plantation areas. Formerly classified as Riopa / Mochlus / Lygosoma fernandi.

Insectivore / Carnivore — Crickets, roaches (Blaptica dubia), earthworms, mealworms/waxworms (in moderation as they are fatty), snails; the occasional pinky mouse for adults.

Voracious appetite: offer a varied diet and monitor weight to prevent obesity. Dust prey with calcium (with or without D3 depending on UVB lighting) and vitamins. Feed juveniles more frequently than adults.

Clutch 5–9 eggs/young. Buried clutch of 5-9 eggs; incubation of about 40-60 days around 27-28 °C on moist substrate. The female frequently guards and broods her clutch (a notable protective behaviour in this species). Breeding requires good physical condition and often a slight seasonal variation.

• Internal (nematodes, protozoa) and external parasites, very common in wild-caught imported specimens: quarantine, faecal exam and a veterinary check-up recommended at acquisition
• Metabolic bone disease (MBD) linked to a calcium/D3 deficiency or a lack of UVB
• Dysecdysis (retained shed, particularly on the toes and tail tip) when humidity is too low
• Respiratory infections encouraged by temperatures that are too low or by waterlogged, poorly ventilated substrate
• Thermal burns from an unprotected heat source or a heat mat under a thick substrate