Reptile & Amphibian Forums

First off this is my first skink, i am a snake person and always have been. I recently obtained a Broad-Headed Skink which is a adult. I would just like to know what bedding i could use, i have aspen now. I would appreciate any information on the species that may be usefull. I know all the feeding and all that.

But i would like to know more about the species if anyone can help me out that would be great.

Ill post pictures soon.

Thanks
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Cameron

Thanks to all who responded.

I know why you didnt, because it isnt a BTS

Maybe i should stick with snakes.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!
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Cameron

I've just kept western skinks short term, but I imagine their care would be similar. They need a bit more humidity than aspen can provide. I recommend a substrate like repti-bark. Make sure that there are hiding places where the substrate stays moist (I like to mix in some damp bed-a-beast and lay a bark slab over it and lift it and spray regularly) or they will have shedding problems. UV light from a good bulb like Zoomed's reptisuns is also beneficial. I also like to use a calcium supplement conaining vitamin D3 (Rep-cal) to help ward off metabolic bone disease. With any calcium supplement, read the ingrediants and make sure it doesn't contain phospherus (these are for herbivores) and I've had problems myself and have heard from others who have had problems with MBD in insectivores when using phospherus containing calcium supplements (even those marketed for insectivores). Crickets also make the best staple, mealworms tend to be too fatty and you can run into problems with obesity. Gutload crickets with a nutritious food like fish flakes or crushed high quality dog or cat food with fresh fruits and veggies (carrots and oranges are my favorites) for moisture for at least 4 hours before offering them to your skink (I know that you said that you're familiar with the feeding needs so please forgive me if you've heard this already, but some snake keepers assume that store bought insects are "good to go" as soon as you get them).

Go easy on the other posters here, most have never kept Eumeces so it's not because they don't care; they just have no experience with this genus and, therefore, have no advice to give. The blue tongue skink posts get answers because there are a lot more active posters who have blue tongue experience, not because of some elitest mentality.

-Alice

Thanks for the info Alice - I had not heard of those before now. I "Googled" the name and came up with all sorts of info and some pictures.

Neat looking skink! I guess folks in eastern Texas see a lot of them.

The info I saw stated that these skinks are more commonly seen in damp, wooded areas with leaf litter and decaying logs. I would think your suggestions would be perfect.

Morgana

Here's a pair that I found in nw FL last week.
Big for us, huh?



found under tin and rotting wood in oak hammock. Shady with sun.
:Mark

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Surrender Dorothy!

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