I don't know anything about fire skinks but one thing about your description caught my attention as a potential problem for any lizard.



When you said the tank is at near 'prime' temperatures, is that prime basking/hotspot temperature? IF so is the entire tank at that temperature? Most lizards need a cooler area to got to as basking temps are often much higher than safe ambient temperatures for the lizard (basking temp is to get them up to idea core temperatures then they move away to cooler areas to maintain it). If you lizard can't cool down, heat stroke could cause it to be lethargic and unresponsive.



To cool your tank so there is a proper heat gradient, moving it into an environment that is at the cool end temperature will help. Increasing ventilation too. If the entire room the tank is in is too hot...you will have to either use AC to cool the room down some, or move the tank to a cooler room. (sometimes just putting the cage on the floor if its on a table can drop temperatures significantly. Very shadow water could be used to cool your lizard quickly..but since skinks are not known for swimming you want to make sure the water is not very deep. Don't use cold water..it can shock the system and cause more harm than good. Water temperature should be luke warm..or about the same temperature as fire skinks need for ambient temperatures (probably around 70-80F..but check species care info, as I don't know their desired temp range)
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PHLdyPayne

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