Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just bought a sandfish that I have not been able to get to eat yet. He also is not very active. Is this normale.

well Ive never kept a sandfish but Ive heard alot about them.they are not a lizard you will see that often because they burrow in the sand most of the time also it has just gotten in a new home and has to get used to its surroundings.after it gets used to its new enclosure it should start to feed.hope this helps out.also is your sandfish a arabian red sandfish or just the regular kind?
Nick

Hes just the regular kind, yellow colored. Thanks for replying.

I always been interested in these lizards.there really cool looking and one day Id like to breed them.
Nick

Hello Bert & Nick:
The Sandfish that usually comes in is the Egyptian Sandfish (Scincus scincus). They really do live up to their name. They can move around under the surface of the sand with surprising speed and agility. Just take a look at one and you can see they are built for a subterranean existence.
For the most part they are shy and spend much of their life under the ground. The ones I kept were always active in the morning, scurrying around on the surface of the sand and climbing around on the rocks I provided. One can place a few rocks in their habitat for aesthetic reasons but the substrate should be sand at least 2" thick.
As far as food goes they seem to be somewhat prey specific. At least mine were. They would always go after various sized grubs and mealworms but would ignore crickets in the habitat. Try feeding them mealworms in the morning with a warm light on them. I think you'll find they'll start eating with few exceptions.
Good Luck and have a Great Day!!!