Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone....just yesterday i got a pair of adult Fire Skinks from the local petstore.
i researched them some....looked up some websites, a magazine article, read some care sheets....but i still had a few questions.
First....since i got them they've been hiding under the substrate...and i know they're burrowers and everything...but after they get used to their new cage a bit more will they make themselves more visable now and then?

Also some of the sites said that you need UV lighting....Some said you don't....and some didn't even mention it!
Soooo.........what are your thoughts? do i need UV lighting?....i have one on them right now just incase but if they DO need it then i need to buy another one in a few weeks since i'm borrowing the one that's on right now.

And is there any good way to sex them?....like i said they are adult sized......i thought that one might be male and one might be female since they have some minor diffrences in body and color...but i'm not FULLY sure.....so i was wondering if anyone could tell me info on that?

hopefully they are male and female so i can breed them since i read a few places that they aren't bred all that often.

thanks in advance for any help!

-Matt-
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1:0 Bearded Dragon (Jimmy)
1:0 Collared Lizard (Timmy)
1:1 Fire Skink (Chad, Tad)
1:0 Leopard Gecko (Mofo)

They are almost totally fossorial, emerging only to eat and drink. Females will spend time in a basking area during the breeding season when eggs are developing.

Males tend to be larger bodied,have broader heads, their tails are longer and thicker, and there is more red coloration than in females. Some males will have brighter facial markings, in others, the red lateral markings carry up and into the bronze dorsal area. The breeding male I currently have has retained some of the blue tail markings of a juvenile.

I, personally, do not use UV lights on mine. Some sources recommend it, others don't. I employ a balanced regimen of supplementation and haven't had any problems however, if you choose to provide UV for your animals, I'm sure it won't cause any harm. Humidity seems to be a major factor with these guys and I strongly suggest regular misting of the cage as well as maintaining the moisture gradient in the substrate as outlined in most care sheets.

Hatchlings and juveniles should be kept on paper towel or newspaper to avoid the usual impaction risks. Additionally, they seem to be very prone to respiratory distress when proper humidity is not maintained. Newly acquired WC specimens often harbor mites and other parasites, so make sure you've inspected your new skinks very closely.

E
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That's it, screw you guys!
I'm goin' home

-Eric Cartman