Racerunners (Eremias spp.)

Short answers

Racerunners: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm for one animal with deep digging substrate; a larger floor area for a group.

Racerunners: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–35 °C, basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 10–18 °C (clear night-time drop).

Racerunners: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB is essential, a high requirement (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6 at the basking spot); a steppe and desert dweller.

Racerunners: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 5–8 years.

Racerunners: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–35 °C

Night temperature

10–18 °C (clear night-time drop)

Basking spot

40–45 °C

Humidity

40–50 % (substrate slightly damp at the bottom)

UVB

UVB is essential, a high requirement (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6 at the basking spot); a steppe and desert dweller

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm for one animal with deep digging substrate; a larger floor area for a group

Substrate

Deep sand they can dig in (8–15 cm), the lower layers permanently slightly damp; stones, a structured back wall

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, steppe crickets, small locusts, flies); vitamin and mineral supplements regularly

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles (almost) daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 12–20 cm total length (depends on the species; e.g. E. arguta up to ~18 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 5–8 years

Origin

The steppes and semi-deserts from eastern and south-eastern Europe through the Near East and North Africa to Central Asia

Protection status

Depends on genus/species: mostly not CITES-listed; individual species (e.g. the EU population of E. arguta) are protected. Check the exact species plus regional regulations before buying.

Brumation

Yes: a winter rest of about 2–3 months below 10 °C (for most species of the temperate steppes)

Cohabitation

Keeping racerunners singly is the least stressful option since they are territorial. One male with several females is possible on a large floor area with enough digging and visual cover; males must NEVER be housed together. Exact compatibility is species-dependent and should be checked for the individual species.

Notes

A collective name for many species – treat the figures as genus-level guide values and check them for the particular species. A day-night temperature gradient and deep, diggable substrate with a damp lower layer are decisive; dry indoor air and shallow ground are common mistakes.

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Related species

• Lined racerunner (Eremias lineolata) – Intermediate
• Reticulate racerunner (Eremias grammica) – Intermediate
• Przewalski's racerunner (Eremias przewalskii) – Intermediate
• Rapid racerunner (Eremias velox) – Intermediate
• Steppe runner (Eremias arguta) – Intermediate
• Strauch's racerunner (Eremias strauchi) – Intermediate
• Erhard's wall lizard (Podarcis erhardii) – Beginner to intermediate
• Large psammodromus (Psammodromus algirus) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Racerunners (Eremias spp.) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm for one animal with deep digging substrate; a larger floor area for a group), substrate (Deep sand they can dig in (8–15 cm), the lower layers permanently slightly damp; stones, a structured back wall), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.