Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been breeding leopard geckos and I also have new caledonian crested geckos. Both are great pets but being nocturnal I don't see much of them except after I turn off their tank light for dinner. I really wanted something that would be awake and around during the day. After doing a lot of research I decided on a schneider skink. As I am ton cute little guys I was wondering if anyone had any information on them that isn't in any book or website. I find that personal experience is a great learning tool.
Thanks,
Randi

you want an active lizard, so you chose a Schneider skink?
hehe.
i have a breeding pair of them. One is very calm, the female however is a mental-case. She doesn't like being touched at all, but the male doesn't seem to mind. They are about from around 8am till midday at the latest. In the wild, this is the time where the sun is cool enough for them to bask and catch food. when it hits midday, the sun becomes unbearably hot and they retreat to their burrows. The are very entertaining, beautiful, curious little creatures though. Mine are kept in a melamine vivarium with glass sliding doors. the vivarium is 4'x2'x2' with a basking spot at one end. the temp's need to be around the 100F area in the day, and can drop to as much as 68F during the night. UVB is also recommended. Provide this for about 12-14 hours in summer, and 8-10 in winter. Same with the temperature. Playsand is a good substrate, as they burrow a lot, but this may need to be dried out in the oven, as it usually comes partially wet in the bags. Decorate with rocks and some plants more climbing on. Schneiders like to climb (although they aren't too good at it) so dont but any plants up too high. the sand is good as it will help absorb any impact from the lizard. They live in colonies in the wild, seperated from other colonies by bushland. i've recreated this, by lining the edges of the vivarium with plastic plants. This works well. i provided a few pieces of bark for them to hide under, as well as ceramic plant pot. i keep the sand in there moist, and they seem to enjoy that. Mine enjoy eating locusts, as they can be very good hunters. The locusts are a bit more filling and provide a challenge for them. They would eat these more in the wild as well, originating from Africa.
If you can obtain Captive Bred Schneiders then do so! it might be a bit more expensive, but it's well worth it. My wild caughts are great, but the male has a bent tail at the end, is missing a toe on his left foot and has a scar by that same leg. Probably from fighting for territory or mating.
They are very rewarding lizards to keep, and i hope their waking and sleeping times don't put you off.

Hi Ive been looking into breeding reptiles almost a year now but my parents just now decided it was OK and now I cant decide what kind.there is a reptile show coming up soon and I need to decide.would these animals make a good first time breeding project or are they for the more experienced breeders as they are very cool looking.If not can you give me anything besides geckos(I like geckos but would prefer something else),beardeds,and water dragons.Im 14 and have limited space in my room.Ive kept reptiles for 7-8 years so Im not new to the hobby either.thanks for your time.
Nick

SORRY