Reptile & Amphibian Forums

They went to sleep around mid-October, with the female going in a week or two before the male. Female sleeps longer. I did not chill them this winter. Reptile room stayed the same as the house (~67-70 deg F). The previous two winters the reptile room dipped down into the 50s. Babies are still sleeping in their separate enclosure. This is the babies' second winter.
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Lisa Rakestraw
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My skinks:
1.1.1 Corucia zebrata (Berman and Joni, baby Charlemagne)
1.2.2 Eumeces schneideri (Kaa, Cochisa and their babies; Mabel)
0.0.4 Egernia striolata

My lady woke up today. She looks as fat as ever, which perpetually amazes me how they can go dormant and stay so healthy. I didn't even lower the room temps below 67 deg F, so their metabolism *had* to be running a little higher than when I let it cool down to the mid-50s! And actually, my fella *did* look a little on the slim side, his thighs were not as plump as they should be, but his appetite has returned mightily, especially after today when he saw his lady emerge, he's ready to EAT! It's interesting, I've noticed that the males of this species are more likely to have a light dormancy or even stay awake all winter and also their motors (metabolism) seem to be running slightly faster than the females. I wonder if this is common for male skinks or even male reptiles. Makes sense... males will be built for running and fighting. One exception is my Egernia, males and females are equally fat and lazy! Is this true for Blue Tongues (close relatives of Egernia) as well? Okay, philosophizing done for now!
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Lisa Rakestraw
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My skinks:
1.1.1 Corucia zebrata (Berman and Joni, baby Charlemagne)
1.2.2 Eumeces schneideri (Kaa, Cochisa and their babies; Mabel)
0.0.4 Egernia striolata