Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Im lookin for a True Fire Skink (Riopa Fernandi) does anyone know where i can get one relatively inexpensively. There is one that has been at the local Petsmart for the longest time but im kinda leery of the price they are asking and how it has been cared for.

AAA Reptile Supply has both WC and CCB Fernade ropia, True Fire Skinks avaliable from time to time. They know their husbandry and will help you before & after the sale.

Thanks but im kinda leery bout them as their shipping costs are sky high and they are in california and its awfully cold around here lately. On the other hand i found out that there is a Fire Skink at the local PetSmart (i know i know) chain stores arent the best place to get herps but he looked like he was in pretty good condition but not with the best housing accomodations. The other thing is i dont know how old he is and he seems to be fully grown. I may just ask aaa reptile supply about care and see what they say.

Shipping is usually more expensive in Winter with heat packs and rates can go up by carriers. There are other Retail/Importers on Kingsnake that do get them in WC, CB, and CBB and Classified section does have posts occasionally. Nothing wrong at all with buying a skink from Chain Stores, Shows, or Vendors as they all buy in quanity from one source or another. ^You must carefully prepare in the purchase/carefully examine the skink for Health Issues and be ready to Deparasitize with Panacur & Flagyl which you can purchase mail order also, and take care of any medical needs they may develope as with an animal.^ Most avoid Chain Store pets because the staff is forced to work under company rules along with the fact reptile husbandry is negelected. First try to look up as much as you can on Goolge search engine, skink general books, some Zoo & Herpetological Society websites, and do try to email breeders (some will help some/will not unless you purchase). Most important is to research your setup (have your tank or cage ready) and care (feeding, lighting, heat requirements) they are tropical, Burrowers, Diurnal, and have some specific needs.

Thanks for the input, yes i have been doing alot of research. The fact that he is at a chainstore isnt really the problem as i have purchased both of my leos from a chain store we have both a PetCo and a PetSmart nearby. Its the fact that he has been there for over 3 months with poor care but they must be doing something right if he has lived this long. Oh yes i have a herp vet who i take all my reptiles too, and i myself know how to make sure an animal is healthy. I have a minimum tank for now and will be saving up to get a more ideal setup in the near future. Only thing i have left to get besides the skink is a UV light, but not sure if that is necessary, do you know by any chance?

Well i got him tonight i couldnt wait any longer i have been so excited that i havent been able to sleep. he is about 10 inches long and in the process of shedding, right now he is asleep on top of his lava rock under the ir heat light.

Temperature/Humidity: Ideal daytime temperature for fire skinks should range between 75f-85f degrees. Nighttime temperature should remain between 65f-75f degrees. A basking area should be created on one end of the enclosure to maintain a local temperature of 95f-105f degrees. This can be achieved with a basking lamp over a tile, cork bark, or stone. The humidity for these skinks should be maintained at 75% or higher, light misting humidity box and area of soil mix kept damp not wet.

Lighting: 5.0 to 8.0 UVB Flourescent lighting is recommended for 12 hours per day. The use of a timer will assist in maintaining an accurate schedule of light periods.

Feeding/Watering: Fire skinks are omnivorous (diet consists of both plant and animal matter). Diet varietied of vitamin & calcium dusted crickets, mealworms, earthworms, superworms, waxworms, shreded vegetables which include but aren't limited to; kale, collard greens, legumes, carrots, squash, berries, banana, kiwi, strawberries, blackberries, apples, and high quality low-fat cat mixed in with vegetables. A shallow water bowl should be provided and changed daily. Adult skinks should be fed 3-4 times per week, juveniles fed twice daily during their growing period. Always remove uneaten prepared food and insects.
Habitat/Housing: Successful permanent maintenance requires a minimum 20 gal tank, 40 gal for pair of trio. A screen lid is essential for proper air exchange. The enclosure must include a basking area, a suitable hiding area, and a "cool" area to allow for thermoregulation. Cork bark is an excellent item to use with all terrestrial (land-dwelling) skinks. The bark can be "layered" to allow the skink many hiding and foraging areas. Artificial plants also help to create a natural look. Unless breeding is desired, skinks are best kept singularly.

Substrate (Bedding): A mixture of Repti-Bark or Bed-A-Beast with soil for substrate. Sphangus Moss is idealin hunidity boxes/under hide box. Fire skinks love to burrow in 2" to 3" inches of soil mixture as it is required to encourage their natural burrowing instinct. The substrate should be kept moist/not wet to maintain an even humidity level, but changed regularly to avoid bacterial growth.

A fellow Breeder has his Trio for two yrs now and did a copy paste of this general care for me to paste for you.He used Panacur & Flaygl for parasites, TriCal or RetiCal, and Nekton Rep Color with Nekton Rep Vitamin.

I think i have read that exact caresheet before, i have been told otherwise about the UV requirements, due to these lizards living on the forest floor in African Tropical Forests not much light reaches the ground, so UV isnt necessary although it cant hurt.