Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In response to the prehensile tailed skink question, I agree with responses warning of bites. No fun at all. I would say that claws are a bigger concern. Some PTS' may bite, but all will claw you just trying to get a perch while you are handling them. They are very, very strong and draw blood almost every time I handle w/o gloves. The worst is when they get a claw hooked under one of your fingernails. It is really painful. Thet are rewrading animals. Lots of hides are a must, preferably big cork sections. As far as dietary tips, I feed about 75% dark greens. Mine seems to really prefer turnip greens. A keeper at the New Orleans zoo once told me they fed hard boiled eggs to their PTS'. The ones they had on display were absolutely huge. I tried tofu instead for a protein supplement and mine has bulked up big time.
Here's my question: Is it okay to use platic trees like the ones you see at home furnishing and craft stores in a pts cage? They had some nice looking ones that would make for cool cage furniture. I'm not messing with the real stuff b/c I'm fairly sure my skink would destroy it in no time flat.

I wouldnt do it. They Will most likly eat the fake leaves, some times they will eat the strangest things.

Devon

I've had fake plants in with mine for years without problems. However, I watch them very closely whenever I put a new fake plant in, and I make sure the leaves are attached securely. Other folks have had their PTS pull off fake leaves and eat them.
Mine seem to have learned what's edible and what's not. When I put real Pothos vines in for them to eat they can smell the difference between the real things and the fakes.