Hi
I had one for years .
have a couple questions about Occelated Skinks.
1. Is a 12x12x12 Exo Terra a good cage for an Occelated Skink?
2. Is Zoo Med ReptiSand a good substrate for these sand-swimming skinks?
3. Is there any way to sex these skinks other than breeding them?
4. Do Occelated Skinks need UV lighting?
5. Is a heat pad or a heat lamp better for these skinks?
6. Is dog- and catfood good for them (not as a complete diet, just a part)?
They get to 6 inches and are actually fairly active .I had mine in 20 gallon long and he used it but you could use thick driftwood going up the 12 inches in leaning fashion and he will use it to climb but more floor size would be nicer..
I used sand and it was great. He would go under if started but was out a lot to bask .He did hide alot untill he got used to me.
I used a spotlight basking bulb that had UV . They do bask and would think they must have UV .
These skinks dive in sand to escape the heat thus over head heat/light is better and they use it.
At night I would just shut it off room temp was in mid 70s but if colder imagine you could use a heat pad set on LOW in tank corner.
I hasd a flat slate rock that held bit of water I would mist and he would lap water from it . I had small water bowl which never saw him use thus after awhile just used the flat rock as "water bowl" .
I dont know about dog food as only fed him gut loaded insects.
I originally had 2 but fights began to break out so kept one.
They will climb ofcourse not like an anole but wood pieces or rocks thus not truly sand swimmers like some think.
They are very neverous for long time and even the vibrations of you walking to look at them scare them.
I had him for 6 yrs but he was adult when I got him. I dont know how to sex them mine just looked like a male and his original roommate was a male according to pet store thus assumed 2 males.
