Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

[El Garch]

Does anyone have any information on the care of these skinks? There is one in the local pet shop and the temptation is running high! I've tried looking on google but all I can find is very vague information which isn't of much use.

[Scott W]

do you mean these? http://www.captivebred.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=662&highlight=crocodile+skinks
_________________

Please DO NOT pm orders for reptiles, send email instead scott@captivebred.co.uk

[jim_radley]

I think El Garch meant Tribolonotus Gracilis aka Red Eyed Crocodile Skink.



Introduction
This is a database-generated care sheet on the Red-eyed Crocodile Skink and is only meant to provide some very basic care information for an adult lizard. Some links to more detailed care sheets, as well as links to forums, mailing lists and private breeders, are also provided. The best ingredient for good lizard health is knowledge: find out as much as you can about your pet lizard!

Description
The Red-eyed Crocodile Skink is a small fossorial lizard from a tropical rainforest climate that can reach a total adult length of 8" (19 cm). Ease of care for this lizard is average (compared to other lizards).

Basic Care
Diet:

The Red-eyed Crocodile Skink is insectivorous, meaning he eats insects. Feed this lizard a variety of feeder insects that have been gutloaded with a high-quality commercial gutload for insects; make sure you get your feeders from a reliable source that sells healthy, disease-free insects.

Heat and light:

This crepuscular lizard needs a heat lamp during the day to create a warm basking area and in some cases, a 24-hour light-less heat source to maintain the ambient temperature in his environment. Full-spectrum (UVA/UVB) light may also be beneficial. Daytime light and heat requirements can be achieved by using a spotlight in conjunction with a full-spectrum fluorescent tube (such as Reptisun 5.0 or Exo-Terra 8.0). A nighttime heat source usually isn't needed, except during the winter if the temperatures in your home go below the recommended nighttime temperature. If one is needed, infrared lamps or ceramic emitters can be used.

The Red-eyed Crocodile Skink prefers a basking area of 89°F (32°C) with an overall ambient temperature of 82°F (28°C) and a cool area of 75°F (24°C). Most important to note are the basking area and the cool area; usually, when those temperatures are maintained, the overall ambient temperature will usually also be within the proper range. Nighttime temperature should not go below 72°F (22°C). Your lizard can die if he gets too hot or too cold!

Environment:

The Red-eyed Crocodile Skink needs an enclosure that is at least 18" (45 cm) long x 30" (76 cm) wide x 15" (38 cm) high. Because of his fossorial nature, he needs an enclosure with plenty of floor space, equipped with hiding areas and substrate for burrowing. His enclosure will also need at least two thermometers, one to monitor the basking area and one to monitor the cool end of the enclosure. A hygrometer is also recommended to measure the ambient humidity level. The recommended humidity level for this lizard is 80-100%.

When setting up your Red-eyed Crocodile Skink's environment for the first time, you will need to take several temperature readings in several areas of the enclosure and make any adjustments to heat sources if necessary. For this reason, all heat sources should be placed on a rheostat or lamp dimmer. Once the heat sources are set up properly, you need to install a thermometer both in the coolest area and the warmest (or basking) area so that you can monitor any temperature fluctuations.

Finally, your Red-eyed Crocodile Skink needs a very large but shallow water dish, as these lizards love to swim and soak in the water. They are also extremely prone to dehydration and shedding problems. Various mosses, cypress mulch and/or cocoa bedding will also help raise humidity and make for a more natural-feeling environment for your lizard.

Behavior:

These are very shy, secretive lizards that do not like being handled much, but some individuals settle down over time with brief daily handling sessions. Often called “tribs” or “tribbies” due to their scientific name. The only lizards – other than geckos – that can vocalize and they make a little squawking sound when startled or restrained. They sometimes “play dead” when held, so convincingly that some people have thrown them away thinking they really were dead! Be careful when holding them while outside of their enclosure, they are easily startled and sometimes jump right out of your hand to go sailing through the air into the great unknown.

Recommended Links
Personal web page dedicated to crocodile skinks: http://www.tribolonotus.bravepages.com/Homepage.htm

Care of the Oranged-eyed Crocodile Skink: http://www.vmsherp.com/CarePages/CareTribs.htm

Skink Forum by Kingsnake.com: http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=57

Join the Skink Discussion List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/skinks/

Find healthy Crocodile Skinks at Regal Reptiles: http://www.regalreptile.com/lizards.htm#Miscellaneous%20Lizards:

[El Garch]

Yeah that's the one Jim! Thanks for all the information, time for some reading me thinks

[dalchana]

Hi, I have a pair of these skinks, they are by nature very shy and I only really see the male out hunting, they readily breed if kept in cool and moist/damp conditons, they like to bathe so they like a large water bowl, and humidity should be high. Like I said they are shy creatures, so i dont like to disturb them too much. I have 2 babies from this pair and another 2 eggs in the incubator, so they must be happy.