Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello

Can a m/f pair of fire skinks be kept together all yr long in 55 gallon tank (48 inch long)?

I ask as not sure if fighting will happen.

Ideal day/night temps?

Do they need cooling off period if they are to mate?

Thank you

A 55 gallon should be plenty big enough, i wouldn't go smaller than 40 for a m/f pair. I had two females and a male in a 75 gallon.

They come from an area that has a cool & dry winter followed by a warm and wet summer. In about March, I start "raining" on my fire skinks and turn up their temperature. This has worked for 2 years to put them in the mood.

They don't need to be HOT, but I do like them to have a 90 degree area to bask in. Their coolest area is probably about 70 degrees if you dig down in the substrate. I give them lots of burrowing space. I have a 2.0 UVB bulb, I have noticed withotu it they stay under the substrate much much more. soemtimes they like to climb, so have some driftwood or sturdy plants in tehre for them.
They will pick a few favorite places for their nests, I encourage them to nest in certain areas by providing more cover there. Their favorite spot is under the nestbox which is covered by a mat of fake veggitation, it is the most hidden place. Another favorite spot is in their water dish. One of my females guards her nests and will CHOMP when I go to get the eggs, so watch out! I recommend distracting with a fat juicy earthworm.

Even in the 75 gallon, they don't always get along. Make sure you feed the a LOT so if there is any bullying, everyone is getting enough to eat. My guys thrive on earthworms, crix, mashed veggies, bananas, and canned cat food.

good luck!
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3 fire skinks, 1 blue tongue skink, 2 plateds, 2 beardies, 1 mali uromastyx, and a wide assortment of geckos.

Thanks this reply was tons of help.

"One of my females guards her nests and will CHOMP when I go to get the eggs, so watch out"

Amazing I would have never guessed this.

they chomp and then shake their heads from side to side to rend off pieces.
ow. ow. ow. ow. ow.
esp when you sink is 14" long!
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3 fire skinks, 1 blue tongue skink, 2 plateds, 2 beardies, 1 mali uromastyx, and a wide assortment of geckos.

If I can ask you 2 more questions.

What substrate do you use? I was thinking of soil mixed with sand and eco earth.

When you said you have it "rain" on them for breeding. Do you mean you mist heavy?

I ask because I am going to use a glass tank with no drain holes on tank bottom and not sure if your 75 gallon has some type drain holes.

Thanks

I use repti bark mixed with eco earth. In places I want them to nest I use veyr little reptibark, and give them lots of cover. the mats of fake plants work well, and they seem to lie lying on top of them too. They like to bathe so they have a water dish big enough to get into, and their water is always dirty from them swimming!. that can be a little frustrating.

i used to have live plants in there, aloes and african violets, but they dug them up and ate them.

i mist them veryveryvery heavily. i will pour water on the fine mesh screen so it rains down, the screen breaks it up into little drops. they have about 3" of substrate so it takes a fair amount of water to soak it. They are in a glass tank w/out drain holes. I jsut make sure I never soak the substrate completely, they don't need a swamp just nice moist substrate. I keep part of the tank drier in case they decide they want some time to dry off, usually they don't but I like to give them options. One thing I really like about the 75 is that it is big enough to give them we & dry areas and areas w/deeper and different burrowing opportuntise. I also have a couple pices of driftwood and some large rocks in there. They do climb sometimes, and the sun comes in and heats up their rocks and then they like to lie on them. I figure the more variety I give them, the happier they are and the more interesting they are to watch.
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3 fire skinks, 1 blue tongue skink, 2 plateds, 2 beardies, 1 mali uromastyx, and a wide assortment of geckos.

14"? that's a big fire skink!!! I have seem some in museums in jars and alhtough I didnt measure them, they had to have been easily 14-15".

The females I've had have all gotten quite large!
The males usually don't top 12".
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3 fire skinks, 1 blue tongue skink, 2 plateds, 2 beardies, 1 mali uromastyx, and a wide assortment of geckos.

Thanks a lot for all the info it was a lot of help its not a skink which to much care info available again thanks.

Fleck