Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Does anyone know how long a PTS can life in captivity? In "Prehensile-Tailed Skinks" by Philippe de Vosjoli, he states the record for longevity of an imported female was 7 years, 11 months. He also states that he suspects that they have a potential lifespan in excess of 10 years, possibly even 15. I was just wondering because a friend of mine, who happens to be the "Reptile Guy" at a local zoo, has had a female PTS for many years. He got her at one of those mall pet shops several years ago, and who knows how long she was there. I am assuming she was an import, but I don't know. Is it possible for her to still breed? She has been alone in her enclosure her whole life, so she never had a chance to breed. I ask because I am planning on going on vacation this summer, and he probably wouldn't mind watching them while I am gone. I figure he could keep them in a communal enclosure and if she can still breed...
Thanks for the help, Josh

Terry Lilley reports in an article in the April 1986 issue of Aquarium that PTS can live over 15 years in captivity, but doesn't say if this is from personal observation or from another source.

That's the only reference that a quick check of my resources came up with. I'll be looking at the materials more closely this weekend, and will let you know if I come up with anything more concrete.

-Z

I should have mentioned that if you do decide to house them together it would be wise to be extra attentive to their behaviors after the introduction. I like to do introductions on the weekend when I know I'll be home all day for a couple days to keep an eye on things. PTS can do one another quite a bit of damage if they decide not to get along.

I also recommend that you introduce them in "neutral" territory as much as possible. In the case where you have 2 animals with already established cages it would be ideal to introduce them in a new cage altogether. However, this usually isn't possible. I would recommend removing the lizard whose cage will be the new group home. Put that lizard in a temporary holding cage while it's cage is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Cage furniture should be replaced if possible and definitely put back into the cage in a new configuration. Then both animals can be introduced at the same time. This reduces the chance that one animal will feel at home and that it's territory is being invaded. The goal is to try to get both animals to believe they're being put into a new environment so any previous sense of territory will no longer exist.

I realize it's late and I'm rambling, and possibly not making much sense, so I will leave it at that for tonight. If I'm not being clear just let me know and I will try to do a better job explaining later.

-Z

Z-
Thanks for the info on the longevity. I thought I had read somewhere that they could live over 15 years in captivity, but I couldn't remember if that was something I read or a piece of false information. I think I must have read about that during the time I scoured every source on PTS I could find prior to getting mine. I have read so many things about them, though most of it is practically the same info. Heck, I even read some stuff about them in Spanish and in French. The French one was a bit difficult to decipher due to the fact I have never studied French.
I thought I mentioned something about a "communal enclosure" in my post, but that might have just been something I was thinking about at the time. I would not introduce my pair into the others enclosure for two reasons. For one thing, the enclosure is a little small, even for one skinks; and two, for the possible territorial dispute. There is a certain place I think the three skinks would fit in nicely. It is a converted storage shed-sized building. They would only get half of this, but that is still a large enclosure.
Edward,
In respect to the skinks' gender, my friend said he bought "her" as a female, though that isn't saying much. I have only seen "her" a couple of times, but "she" has the "softer" features of a female, smaller head, stout body, etc. I do plan on doing the C/A Biometric ratio and possibly a check of a pair of hemipenes.
Okay, its late, I am going to bed. If I think of something else later, I'll post it tomorrow or Friday. Josh

What is the CA Biometric ratio you refer to? Also, please tell me more about sexing the corucia? I read some about it before I got my trio but haven't lately. The one that I have been assuming is my male is more adventuresome (he likes to come out, the other two are more shy and won't come out when I open their door), and slimmer. Does that make sense? I think that when I first got them they did have labels on their bags saying which was the male and I think I remembered it right from their colors and shapes, but they aren't THAT different that I totally trusted my memory and I was very busy at the time they arrived. So I've been wanting to know more about sexing them. Thanks.
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Lucy
www.smalldragons.com

n/p
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Edward
Carpe diem

The Slavens used to compile data on longevity of reptiles and amphibians in captivity. They stopped but the info is still available:

http://www.pondturtle.com/llizd.html#Corucia

Wild caught PTS, age unknown have lived over 25 years in zoos!

Susan

Thanks for posting this information Susan. I'd never seen that page before. Very interesting. I can tell it will be another huge distraction for me when I'm supposed to be doing work!

-M