I have never heard of farm-raised Schneider's skinks... I suppose it is possible, over in Egypt... but then we'd be seeing babies for sale... like with iguanas... no, I don't think anyone is farming Schneider's skinks... sounds like a load of horse-hooey.

I keep mine on sand and the breeder who set up a blog on angelfire also uses sand. I know of one long-time keeper who uses corncob substrate, but he's not breeding them (although I'm not sure if that would make a difference).

Best of luck! Let us know what you end up with! It sounds like you are just wanting a pet, not wanting to breed... am i correct?
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Lisa Rakestraw
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My skinks:
1.1.1 Corucia zebrata (Berman and Joni, baby Charlemagne)
2.2.2 Eumeces schneideri (Jack and Mabel; Kaa and Cochisa their babies)
0.0.4 Egernia striolata

Hubby's snake:
0.1 Lampropeltis alterna (Sandy)