Steppe Runner Care Sheet
Lizard
6 inches long
10 years
Insectivore
Diet & Nutrition
Steppe Runners are insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and cockroach nymphs.
Baby Steppe Runners should be fed daily. Adults can be fed every other day.
Feeding Schedule
Dust food with calcium powder daily & a multivitamin once a week. Feed them the amount they will eat in 10 minutes.
Housing & Habitat
The Steppe Runner's native habitat includes Romania, Ukraine and
Russia. They are a ground dweller that prefer multiple hiding spots. Small groups of steppe runners can be housed in larger enclosures. If housed together Steppe
Runners should be of similar size to avoid injury. Provide many hiding and basking areas to avoid territorial disputes. It is best to keep only one male Steppe Runner per enclosure when females are present.
Enclosure Size
Single Steppe Runners can be housed in specialty reptile terrariums or 10-gallon aquariums with full screen tops, add 5 gallons for each additional
Steppe Runner. An enclosure with floor dimensions of 10 inches by 20 inches is large enough for an adult, although it's always a good idea to provide as much room as possible. Steppe Runners are terrestrial and prefer floor space over climbing area.
Substrate
Acceptable substrates are ground walnut shell or sand. The main concern with walnut shell and sand is the possibility of impaction. If the steppe runner consumes large amounts of the substrate, it could cause intestinal blockage. Ground Walnut is the preferred substrate at The Tye-Dyed Iguana.
Temperature & Lighting
Temperature
Steppe Runners need a basking spot of 100°F with an ambient temperature between 78° F - 82° F. At night the temperature can drop as low as 75° F on the basking side and 70° F on the cool side.
Lighting
Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB.
Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs.
Humidity & Watering
Humidity
Humidity levels should be kept below 30%.
Watering
Clean water should always be accessible in a small water dish. Be sure the water bowl cannot be tipped over.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What do Steppe Runners eat?
Steppe Runners are insectivores. Offer a variety of live insects including crickets, mealworms, wax worms, and cockroach nymphs. Baby Steppe Runners should be fed daily. Adults can be fed every other day.
What size enclosure does a Steppe Runner need?
The Steppe Runner's native habitat includes Romania, Ukraine and Russia. They are a ground dweller that prefer multiple hiding spots. Small groups of steppe runners can be housed in larger enclosures. If housed together Steppe Runners should be of similar size to avoid injury. Provide many hiding and basking areas to avoid territorial disputes. It is best to keep only one male Steppe Runner per enclosure when females are present. Single Steppe Runners can be housed in specialty reptile terrar...
What temperature and lighting does a Steppe Runner need?
Steppe Runners need a basking spot of 100°F with an ambient temperature between 78° F - 82° F. At night the temperature can drop as low as 75° F on the basking side and 70° F on the cool side. Since this is a diurnal species, it requires two light bulbs. One is the heat lamp which also emits UVA. The second is a UVB lamp. The UVB lamp will specifically say UVB on the box. If the box doesn't say UVB, it's not UVB. Plant and Fish bulbs are not UVB bulbs. Humidity: Humidity levels should be kept...