Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am a responsible 15 year old (will be 16 come Halloween) and am thinking about buying a Prehinsile-Tail Skink and I have some questions. This will be my first reptile and any extra help would be appreciated greatly.

First off I was thinking that I am going to build a cage, is 5 ft. high x 3 1/2 ft. wide x 2 ft. deep large enough? What kind of materials do you suggest to build the cage from?

What should I use as hides and how many should I have, at least?

Since they are arboreal do they need a heat matt as well as a lamp or can I do without the matt?

What is the recommended humidity level and temprature?

What do they eat and how much/how often?

Common heath problems?

Since they are nocturnal do they need UV lights?

How large do these lizards get snout to tail tip?

Can you give me some links to reputable breeders and fact sites/caresheets online?

Once again, any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Since I asked these same questions not too long ago, I'll try my best to answer them for you. If you're interested in getting a prehensile tailed skink, you really should get a pair, for both psychological and conservational reasons.

First off I was thinking that I am going to build a cage, is 5 ft. high x 3 1/2 ft. wide x 2 ft. deep large enough? What kind of materials do you suggest to build the cage from?

The tank I will be getting is smaller than that. Your tank is probably big enough to house a trio.

What should I use as hides and how many should I have, at least?

At least two, I'd say. Some people use wicker baskets. The other option would be cork bark tubes/barrels. Check out www.thebeanfarm.com and www.blackjungle.com.

Since they are arboreal do they need a heat matt as well as a lamp or can I do without the matt?

I wouldn't go for the heat mat. Assuming your room temperature is about 70 degrees, you should be fine.

What is the recommended humidity level and temprature?

I believe the recommended humdity is around 70% with the highest temperature being 85 degrees. Be sure the entire cage isn't 85 degrees though, they need to be able to thermoregulate

Since they are nocturnal do they need UV lights?

That's debatable, based on my experience with other animals, I'd say no uvb lights are not required. They definitely need a time and night schedule though. There's not exposed to uvb long enough to produce the vitamin d3 needed to absorb calcium. They should be dosed with a calcium/vitamin d3 supplement on a daily basis. With that said, it wouldn't hurt to have a uvb bulb in there.

How large do these lizards get snout to tail tip?

About 24 inches and more.

Can you give me some links to reputable breeders and fact sites/caresheets online?

herpbreedingresearch.com and a friend of mine buys chondros from http://www.signalherp.com/index.html and recommended inquiring about corucias through them.

Since I asked these same questions not too long ago, I'll try my best to answer them for you. If you're interested in getting a prehensile tailed skink, you really should get a pair, for both psychological and conservational reasons.

I can't get two right now. But I do plan to buy a second sometime next year.

The tank I will be getting is smaller than that. Your tank is probably big enough to house a trio.

That's good to hear. You can never give them too much rom can you?

I wouldn't go for the heat mat. Assuming your room temperature is about 70 degrees, you should be fine.

My house stays at a constant 72 degrees. Dad's real particular about that for some reason.... Anyway, no heat mat. Got it.

That's debatable, based on my experience with other animals, I'd say no uvb lights are not required. They definitely need a time and night schedule though. There's not exposed to uvb long enough to produce the vitamin d3 needed to absorb calcium. They should be dosed with a calcium/vitamin d3 supplement on a daily basis. With that said, it wouldn't hurt to have a uvb bulb in there.

Would some natural light be better? I can arrange the cage next to a window.

Thank you for all the help. I really appreciate it.

I think 72 is too low and i believe they (MTS) do need UVB lights because they are crepuscular not nocturnal! I suppose something between 78-84F will be good for them! I think a heat mat and the proximity of an opened window will be perfect if the temp outdoors is not too low!Careful with cold/windy days!MTSs come from a tropical country!
About food, they do love POTHOS! In fact its almost the only thing mine eats!Besides POTHOS they eat veggie and greens.
About geting another one you must be sure its a male and a female because if you have 2 males they will seriously fight! By the way i have only one MTS now, a male, if i dont want to breed them (i cant right now because ill move soon)why should i buy another one?

I think that "not wanting to breed them" and corucia dont belong together. I'm gonna sound like a jerk and stuck up, but in my opinion, it is irresponsible to keep animals that are in bad shape in the wild, and/or social alone. Corucia dont "socialize" with people and therefore we as owners dont count on that level. Corucia live in circulus in the wild and should subsequently be kept in at least pairs in captivity. For a species such as this that is in danger of extinction in the wild captive reproduction is the only method for preservation. An individual that is not helping contribute to the next generation is a shame. Even if its just a male, it could definitely help diversify the genepool, even just a little. Its not just corucia that I feel this way about either, but if you just want a pet get a BTS or something. PTS really need to be maintained as a preservation project, not a "pet." just my 2 cents.

I have BTS too! I have 2, a male and a female and comparing both , MTS and BTS, i think MTS are much more of a pet than BTS!Thats my opinion!My BTSs dont like to be handled,one of them is always peeing, pooping on my hands and they love to hide!They spend most of the time hidden!When i bring them indoors the first thing they do is to hide under the sofa and thats all!
My Mts, on the contrary is very bold, difficult to scare,he loves to sleep on my back, under my hair, to climb on the top of my head and feels very confortable among people!He likes to explore the house and to check what we are doing!
Id like to breed my MTS but i have a huge problem! Where i live (Kuala Lumpur-Malaysia) there is no confirmed female for sale!If you want me to breed my MTS why dont you come here and help me to find a female for Leonardo? Im not saying i dont want to breed him but i cannot do it now! Entendeu?*

* Thats Portuguese.It means, " Understood?"

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hi Flavia,

Il est Convenu. Which is(or should be) French for It is Understood. Eventually, this must be done for the good of the species. Please?

My definition of a PET is a companion animal usually a common species kept without regard to future breeding. This is the complete opposite of Keeping a Corucia. True, They can be loved but they are not playthings. They are a species in serious need of help. They have a social order (Circulus) They have feelings. They interact with each other and raise young. They have the right to have this.

Please don't be offended personally by what I said. I'm making a important beneficial statement to give you something to consider but I do not wish to degrade you. I still consider you a friend.

Sincerely,
Brian
SFCRC

why they cannot be a home pet and also a protected animal? i dont see any problem in leting Leonardo free roaming in my house, playing with my kids (under supervision)and at the same time im taking care of an endangered specie!
as i told you before i didnt find until now a confirmed female for Leonardo!That petshop in Chinatown still has one MTS that IM FEEDING!Do you believe that? Everyweek i take to that petshop a POTHOS vase to put inside their poor MTS's cage because if i dont do that that poor guy will starve to death!

The MTS they have there i think its a male too because it looks just like Leonardo.So i dont have any other option than to wait for an opportunity to find a girl for Leonardo! While im waiting i enjoy his company!

Flavia,

Is there no humane society in Malaysia you can report this shopowner to? Thank you for your efforts in trying to feed this poor individual. I hope one day you will get Leonardo a mate.

Best regards,
Jean

In my opinion there are 2 arguments that favor captive breeding:

1 – To replace or supplement wild populations. This requires extensive record keeping to provide studbook management (to prevent inbreeding and ensure sufficient outbreeding), and to track locality information (to ensure released animals are of the same genetic stock as local populations). Neither of these is currently possible for the hobbyist.

2 – To reduce collecting pressure on wild populations. Captive breeding by hobbyists provides this. The more Corucia we breed and sell, the fewer wild animals will be caught and sold at pet stores.

So, is there a moral obligation to breed endangered animals?

Brian, Jean and J-Cal – you have implied that there is. You’ve also done your damndest to shame those who don’t do so. I can’t disagree with you more strenusously. It is ethically correct to breed any captive herp, as long as they are not excessively inbred or bred past the point that there is a demand for them (ex – Iguanas). However, it is not ethically wrong not to breed them. There is nothing wrong with keeping an animal just to have it, as long as it is well taken care of.
As Brian stated, Corucia are on their way out in the wild. This is not primarily a result of over-collection for the pet trade. It is a result of habitat loss. No amount of captive breeding will change that.
I would much rather see the available individuals taken in by those who make a commitment to keep them responsibly, than see them languish away in the pet store because a potential responsible owner won’t buy one because you told them it was wrong to do so if they couldn’t buy 2 or more. If an individual Corucia is going to be a genetic dead end (as many are doomed to be), better that they live out their days well-cared for than in a pet store, or in the hands of an irresponsible owner, or dead from starvation in the wild when their forest stand is taken down.

Don’t get me wrong – I am totally in favor of captive breeding whenever possible, and I encourage it. But not to the point that I would disparage others for not doing so. It is a choice that we make for ourselves given our own personal circumstances.

Additionally, to the individual who commented that those who make the commitment to take on an endangered species take on the commitment of ensuring that species’ survival: Corucia are listed as a CITES appendix II animal, and are not on the IUCN red list. It would take an extensive knowledge of the present situation in the Solomon’s to have any idea that wild Corucia populations are in trouble. The “homework” that goes along with the responsible purchase of a pet would not turn up this information.

-Z

Your English is VERY good! I wish i could write so well in English! And your comments very appropriate too!

Thanks. But I can't take much credit for my English skills - they come fairly naturally, since English is my first language.

Now, try to get me to say something similar in Spanish (my 2nd language) and you wouldn't be nearly so impressed.

-Z

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

JCAL,

Very well put! I was going to respond along those lines when I saw your post. No personal offense to Flavia, But such thoughts (pairing) should be foremost and considered before any acquisition. Otherwise, one should question themselves...Is this an impulse buy to fulfill a desire for something new and exciting?

Corucia zebrata is a species on the way out in the wild. ABSOLEMENT-They must be paired and bred. You are not looking out for the best interests of this species otherwise.

Thank you sincerely for your post!

Regards,
Brian
SFCRC

I should have let Leonardo starving to death in that petshop because i could not buy a pair? Dont you think i did good buying him now (and probably saving his life!) and trying to find a female on the future??!!Well, at least im giving him (and his whole specie) a chance! Breeding can be postponed, death is definitive!

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Au contraire! (I'm on a French mode today) Your express true words of wisdom for all to see. Your statement, again, holds my highest admiration.

Reverenter, (For those who don't follow Latin-Respectfully)
Brian
SFCRC

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hello,

Corucia are Crepuscular ( Peak activity Morning and evening) rather than nocturnal.

If the Corucia is healthy and given the proper diet, they SHOULD NOT be given daily vitamin doses. You will be overvitamintising them!!!

An additional hide consideration are the large artifical stumps available. There should be at least one lower and one upper hide.

There are different enclosure types available (Some pictures on this post-see Jess's numerous enclosure posts)and depending on where you live, that could be a factor in your decision. The SFCRC at the LEE/1 location uses wooden framed structures with hardware cloth on all sides.
WHATEVER YOUR SET_UP-FRESH AIR CIRCULATION IS A MUST!

There are numerous caresheets that can be accessed on the various search engines. It is also recommended to thoughly read the various Corucia posts in this forum for a better perspective.

Good luck,
Brian
SFCRC

Sorry guys, my crested geckos were coming today, and so I was, well, thinking about them last night. The advice on temperature and being nocturnal, well, that was for crested geckos. So sorry.

Brian, you mentioned that vitamins should not be supplemented assuming the diet is met. I never recommended vitamin, but calcium, and the vitamin d3 is simply supplemented to help metabolize the calcium.

Are you saying that it is not necessary period?

Also, as far as feeding pothos, be sure to either buy organic if you can, but if not, buy one, but do not feed it to your PTS for at least 2 months so that that pesticides and other chemicals are able to be used up by the plant and there are new growth.

SOUTHERN FLORIDA CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (SFCRC)

Location: LEE/1.

Hi,

Certainly not every day. Occasionally maybe but if the Corucia is in good health and given the proper food in variety, Supplements should not be vital.

Reverenter,
Brian
SFCRC