Tropical Skink Care Sheet

tropical skink care sheet

Blue-tongued skinks are friendly, docile lizards with a bright blue tongue. They are personable and enjoy frequent interaction with their pet parent.

facts average adult size: up to 18 inches long, depending on species average life span: up to 15+ years with proper care depending on species diet: blue-tongues - omnivore; African fire skink- carnivore

Will reach adult size in 1 to 3 years, depending on species and under ideal conditions; upgrade habitat size as your reptile grows.

Note: The information on this Care Sheet is not a substitute for veterinary care. If you need additional information, refer to the Sources section or contact your veterinarian as appropriate.

Developed with and approved by a qualified veterinarian. tropical skink Developed with and approved includes blue-tongued care sheet by a qualified veterinarian. and African fire skinks diet housing able to house male/female grooming A well-balanced tropical skink nnSize - Appropriately sized pair together. and hygiene and shaped habitat to diet consists of: normal behavior nnSkinks regularly shed their nnBlue-tongued species are accommodate normal nnMost tropical skinks are skin; ensure humidity of omnivores and eat 60% behavior and exercise. semi-nocturnal and will habitat is at appropriate plant matter, such as leafy nnHabitat - Provide a spend a portion of level to allow proper green vegetables and bell hiding area and 2 to 3" daylight hours hiding. shedding. To facilitate peppers, and 40% insects, of substrate for skink to shedding, bathe in a large including gut-loaded nnSkinks are not naturally burrow in. Maintain greater container that allows (recently fed) crickets, tame; significant time must than 70% humidity by the skink to immerse its roaches and mealworms. be spent with them to misting as needed every entire body or provide a maintain ability to handle nnAfrican fire skinks are day. shed box, a hide box with them, but once tame, some carnivores and eat sphagnum moss, that nnSubstrate - Use a mulch enjoy frequent interaction. a variety of insects will aid in the shedding type such as coconut fiber including gut-loaded nnSkinks have a powerful process. or reptile bark. (recently fed) crickets, bite if highly stressed or signs of a roaches, waxworms and nnTemperature - Daytime untamed. mealworms. An occasional temperature gradient healthy animal nnActive and alert frozen/thawed pinkie may (95°F for the warm end habitat be given as a treat. and 85°F for the cool end) maintenance nnClear eyes nighttime temperature nnThoroughly clean and n feeding of 70 to 75°F. Use an disinfect the habitat nBody and tail are filled out Things to remember when incandescent light or at least once a week: nnHealthy skin feeding your tropical skink: ceramic heater as primary place skink in a secure nnClear nose and vent nnFresh, clean, chlorine-free heat source. habitat; scrub the tank water should be available and furnishings with a n nnLighting - UVB rays with nEats regularly at all times. 3% bleach solution; rinse full spectrum lighting for thoroughly with water, nnFeed daily. 10 to 12 hours a day is removing all traces of required. An incandescent nnFeed juveniles daily, adults bleach smell; dry the tank day bulb can be used every other day. and furnishings completely for basking area during and add clean substrate. nnSprinkle food with calcium daylight hours only; can

supplement daily and a use a ceramic heater

multi-vitamin supplement or nocturnal or red

once or twice a week. incandescentat all hours. nnVegetables and fruits not nnHouse adult male skinks eaten within 24 hours separately and do not should be discarded. house different reptile species together. May be

red flags common health issues

nnWeight loss or nnLabored breathing Health Issue Symptoms or Causes Suggested Action decreased appetite Gastro- Runny stools, caked or Consult your nnParalysis of limbs intestinal smeared stool around the veterinarian. nnMucus in mouth or disease vent area and loss of appetite nnAbnormal feces nose caused by bacterial or parasitic infection. nnSwelling Metabolic Inability to absorb calcium Consult your bone/vitamin due to insufficient UVB light, veterinarian and nnLethargy deficiency or improper calcium/vitamin provide ample UVB D. If untreated, can lead to lighting and proper nnBumps, sores or a disorder characterized by calcium/vitamin abrasions on skin deformities and softened supplements. bones. Swollen limbs and lethargy. Respiratory Labored breathing and Consult your disease mucus in the mouth or nose. veterinarian and If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian. Can be caused by a habitat ensure habitat is the that is too cold or damp. proper temperature. shopping list for needed supplies qq Appropriately sized habitat qq Substrate qq Moss qq Food and water dishes qq Mealworm dish qq Hideaway place qq Climbing décor qq Plants qq Heat light qq Heat fixture qq Under-tank heater (optional) qq UVB lighting and fixture qq Vitamin supplement qq Calcium supplement qq Cricket keeper qq Cricket food qq Cricket quencher qq Thermometer qq Humidity gauge qq Book about tropical skinks sources Ask a store partner about Petco’s selection of books on tropical skinks and the variety of private brand products available for the care and happiness of your new pet. All private brand products carry a 100% money-back guarantee. Because all reptiles are potential carriers of infectious diseases, such as Salmonella, always wash your hands before and after handling your reptile or habitat contents to help prevent the potential spread of disease. Pregnant women, children under the age of 5, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems should contact their physician before purchasing or caring for reptiles and should consider not having a reptile as a pet. Go to cdc.gov/healthypets and petco.com/ caresheet for more information about small animals and disease. This Care Sheet can cover the care needs of other species. Go to petco.com for more information.