Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My female monkey-tailed skink had two babies almost two weeks ago. However, the babies have yet to eat. I have fresh romaine and other veggies in with them every night and the babies have yet to touch anything.

I know they survive off of their yolk sac for a while and they are still fat, but when should they begin eating? On the 11th, it will have been two weeks since they were born...

Hi- Your babies may be nibbling a bit when you are not watching, they tend to be VERY shy for several months. They can go a long time on their yolks, so as long as they are fat they should be OK. On the other hand Romaine is not considered a very nutritious choice for herbivores. If you can find dandilion greens or turnip greens, these are better choices. Cale, collard, escarole, and endive are ok too, but dandilion and turnip are best if you can find them (and they tend to be cheaper). Ask your produce person at the grocery store you usually go to, sometimes they will order it if you ask. I'm glad to hear they are doing well! Aren't they just SO cute!

Kisha

Thanks for the response. I just wasn't sure at what point I should start worrying. And I'll look into those other greens. I only want the best for my babies!

Thanks again.

Also, there are three easily available houseplants that Corucia will eat readily and look nice in the cage. Epipremnum pinnatum (Golden Pothos), Monstera deliciosa (Split-leaf philodendron--they like the young leaves), and Ficus benjamina (Ficus tree). These three plants occur naturally in the Solomon Islands (except for F. benjamina, but strangler fig, a close relative, does occur there, which is a beloved habitat for Corucia. Unfortunately, strangler fig is rarely sold, due to its invasive qualities.) Harder to find, but also eaten is Epipremnum picta a.k.a. Satin Pothos(http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54390/index.html)
and Piper betle (http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/55354/index.html). Piper aduncum is also found on Bouganville, but is virtually unavailable commercially.
All of this information comes from the article "Husbandry and Breeding of the Solomon Islands Prehensile-tailed Skink" by Michael J. Balsai in The Vivarium Vol. 7 No. 1.
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Lisa Rakestraw
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1 Corucia zebrata
6 Egernia striolata
1 Eugongylus albofasciata
1 Eumeces schneideri