What You Need to Know, What Should I Do? The most important of all is to know how to meet its basic maintenance needs, to keep it nourished and learn its behavioral patterns. These interesting-looking lizards are not only fun to observe, but easy to care for as well! Most of the health issues you may encounter have to do with nutrition or an unclean enclosure. They are active burrowers and will spend a fair bit of time staying hidden under an appropriate substrate. In case the length appears to be less than 11 inches that must be a female African fire skink. Could I keep a pair of Fire Skinks together in a large enough tank? However its always important to keep a shallow water dish just in case. Fire Skinks need a humidity level of between 40% and 60%. To create the heat gradient, use an under-tank heater with dome lights placed above the tank. We cant recommend them enough! Fire skinks are an incredibly unique reptile that can make great pets for owners of all experience levels. I would consider them an easy to care for lizard, the handling process- feeding and caring for them, can be a walk in the park. You can choose to add the moss or leaf thats quite helpful. There are actually quite fun and easy. This stocky build really adds to their overall appeal! Id appreciate answers to any or all of these questions if you can, thank you :) Copyright 2021 EverythingReptiles.com. They can become very aggressive and will often fight to the death. There is no proper documentation in terms of the Skinks status in the wild. Its also important to get more information on the origin of your pet. The Mixed Species Dilemma - Keeping Reptiles and Amphibians Together This is among their best way to wait for their prey. There is a variety of substrate mixes that could apply but you need to be sure about the performance. It is not advisable to grip the skink tightly as it tends to frighten them. These lizards need a tank thats at least 18 inches long and 12 inches wide. You can pick the fire skink gently and hold it loosely on your palm. These types of bulbs are easily able to meet the required gradient levels. This will help to ensure that the temperature inside the enclosure is always within acceptable limits. The Fire skink (Riopa fernandi) is native to the western border of Africa. Baby Fire Skinks and Husbandry Info - YouTube A 20-gallon tank is a minimum size recommended for a group of three skinks. During shedding, fire skinks need plenty of moisture and will burrow into the substrate. They require higher humidity levels than many other skinks, and they will thrive best with a deep layer of substrate. Its also true that all lizards have their own defensive mechanisms. When breeding the African fire skink ensure you also consider the season. African Fire Skink Care | Wiki | Reptiles Amino [10] Can You Keep Crocodile Skinks Together? The African fire skink female eggs normally take a period of about forty to fifty days for hatching to take place. The African fire skinks are just like any other lizards. We also have Clickbank and receive a commission on products sold. You can keep your fire skink in a deep container while doing a full clean of your tank. They are estimated to lie along West Africa in countries such as Guinea and Angola to the east side of the African continent in a country like Kenya. What Can Live With Green Anoles? (Tank Compatibility) Before venturing into this practice its always important to consider every aspect. Wild skinks are skittish, and you will need to take care while taming your fire skink. The best substrates for your fire skink tank are cypress mulch, sphagnum moss, or fertilizer-free soil. Moving the fire skink to an enclosure also means changing its environment. You need to get it right especially in regards to the material you choose to use. 7 Likely Reasons, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mice? Captive-bred young African fire skinks can easily be found especially in the late summers. Mostly fire skinks will feed on insects. However, the fire skink is more of a secretive kind. UVA exposure will also reduce the chance of metabolic bone disease. Clean environments also facilitate better growth chances. This condition is caused by a lack of vitamin D3 and calcium, and it can lead to deformed bones and joints. You shouldnt use coconut husk as a substrate because it will cause digestion problems if your fire skink eats it. However, some lizards will simply act aggressively when youre some distance away. Fire skinks are not known to be overly delicate pets, but they are prone to a few health issues that you should be aware of. If successful, he will then drag her to a hidden spot where he can mate with her. Whenever the African fire skink feels threatened and scared them will bite. After mating, the female will lay a clutch of eggs, which will hatch after about two months. Since the lizards are kept in an enclosure there is a need to improvise. Despite their popularity there is a lot of misinformation on how to care for Read More , The roughneck monitor is a medium-to-large-sized monitor lizard with a long body, pointed snout, and large pointed scales on its neck. However, at times they may want to act territorial. Our main objective is to help people take care of these pets. In terms of sexual dimorphism, it might be hard to identify the sex of the fire skink by looking. An example is due to the fact that most skinks have the same range of colors. You can also use peat moss or reptile bark as the substrate. Fire skinks are active during the day. You can adjust the enclosure by adding logs, hides, and plants. For purposes of confirming the humidity levels, you can use a hygrometer. During the night ensure the temperature levels are maintained at 70 to 75F. You can extend your fire skinks lifespan by handling it with care, feeding it a nutritious diet, and creating a good habitat. Captive-bred specimens are said to be healthier as well as calmer. Common health issues include: Mites You will likely find fire skinks at reptile expos or through online sellers. Your email address will not be published. How to Care for Your Fire Skink | Reptile Supply PDF Fire Skinks, Red-Sided Skinks, Schneider Skinks, Ocellated Skinks Skinks will forage spiders and other ground insects, but geckos often will not bother. A male African Fire skink is normally longer than 13 inches. The correct lighting for fire skinks is often debated, but your fire skink will benefit from UVA exposure. This will help to hydrate their bodies hence increasing the humidity levels. The ambient temperature within the tank should be between 84 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit. In terms of eating fruits, only the adults are allowed to. By understanding their breeding behavior, it is possible to successfully keep multiple fire skinks together. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Even anoles with different reptile species! 5 cool facts about skinks - Parks Blog Its not easy to identify the gender by just a simple look. The other option could be the use of a lamp thermostat. The fire skink will also shed its tail to avoid capture if grabbed by a predator. When taking care of skinks you need to consider their temperament and health condition. The hatchlings could be at risk of being eaten by one of their tank mates. You should never grab a fire skink by its tail. Although the UVB exposure is not that necessary it can really come in handy especially during summer and spring season. Though the choice lies in the person taking care of the skink this is not advisable at all. Keep the eggs the right way up during incubation. Though they are generally hardy reptiles, fire skinks can be susceptible to a few health concerns, particularly when kept in groups. The adult fire skink will actually require a higher temperature level as opposed to hatchlings. Since there are so many different species, they can range from deserts to grasslands to mountains. 2019 mazda cx-5 skyactiv-d The great thing about this is that it gives you a lot of control when it comes to keeping them healthy. Keep the basking area somewhere between 92 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit. A good way to provide a nutrient-rich diet is to feed them a base diet of commercially-produced reptile food, supplemented with live insects and fresh fruits and vegetables. They're rather colorful skinks, with a lighter underside and darker top side that's covered in splotches of yellow and orange. If not treated promptly, respiratory infections can lead to serious health problems and even death. If you spot a fire skink being aggressive it is probably a male. How Many Crocodile Skinks Can I Keep Together? Crickets make an excellent staple, and should be supplemented from time to time with other prey like mealworms, butterworms, silkworms, waxworms, or anything similar. The behavior of African fire skink varies depending on species. If you create the right environment, your fire skink will likely show off its personality and vibrant colors. Once your fire skink is comfortable, you may be able to handle it for short periods. These are all issues that can stem from an unclean enclosure or introducing a contaminated item (food, decorations, etc.) You can change the substrate after 2 to 4 months. When it comes to keeping multiple fire skinks together, there are a few health concerns that you need to be aware of. Jen discusses care and basic husbandry for some of the baby captive bred Fire Skinks at our Menifee store. Johnathan leads the Everything Reptiles editorial team as our Editor in Chief. What Lighting Does A Crocodile Skink Need? - Reptile Link As long as all skinks sizes living together are similar, all of them will be able to eat, exercise and have enough space to mark as their territory. At this point, you can create a nesting box. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'everythingreptilion_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-everythingreptilion_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); When choosing plants for your fire skink habitat, it is important to select species that are native to the skinks natural range. If you are using live plants, make sure to choose species that have dense foliage. Reptiles & Amphibians. The best match is a male and female African fire skink. - In the wild, they share food and shelter and work together to ward off predators. When males and females are kept in one enclosure you will notice signs that they have mated. The gallon should have the terrarium material. Its important to have the diet varying from time to time. Guide to Proper African Fire Skink Safekeeping | Reptiles' Cove Fake plants can also be used, but it is important to choose ones that are made from materials that are safe for reptiles. To provide your fire skink with the right nutrients, dust the food with calcium and multivitamins. Why Is Your Zucchini Plant Stem Splitting? Fire skinks live in vegetated areas with high humidity and plenty of food sources. Clean your lizards food and water bowls every day with a reptile-safe disinfectant. These types of food have high-fat content hence should only be provided as a treat or during the breeding season. How do I Remove Thompsons Water Seal from Wood? Using a 40 watt reptile bulb is often enough to give your skink enough UVA light. Consider the African fire skink is used to the forest and woodland areas. A hygrometer placed inside the tank will help you keep track of the humidity levels. This color change is usually due to mood or environment, and is typically nothing to worry about. Can fire skinks live together? Black specks and white stripes can be found intermingled with the fiery, red scales. If you observe the African fire skink for a while you may be able to do this however it may not be as easy. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Like many other reptiles, fire skinks are not fond of handling. You should keep the hot zone at about 9095F. He currently resides in the United Kindom with his wife and two children. This will mostly happen when it is a matter of food. Ensure the female and male have been fed well before starting the breeding process. African fire skinks can be good pets if the condition in temperature remains suitable. Fire skinks are safe to be around children but you should watch their interactions carefully. mothers give birth to live young (rather than eggs) then live alongside their kids, sometimes for several years. Other people may want to care for wild African fire skink. This can lead to a number of health problems, including a weakened immune system and an increased susceptibility to diseases. While its true that fire skinks have a pretty even temperament, they will (like all reptiles) bite if provoked. Not a big issue I'd just rather not buy such a beautiful lizard for it to be hidden 90% of the time. Some people find that males are more active and have higher energy, while females tend to be more docile and low-key. Although fruits are useful the best food is live food. If you have more than one, provide plenty of hiding places. Males will normally be much bulkier than females. The males will court the females and then mate with them. You can use a heat lamp and keep it on one side of the tank, or you can use an under-tank heater (UTH). The best pairing method is male and female. Fire skinks are particularly fond of crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Make sure there is plenty of food and water for all of the skinks in the tank. Beginner and experienced hobbyists alike will enjoy the fire skink as this lizard is hardy and easy to care for. Keeping the correct level of humidity inside your skinks enclosure is going to be quite important. However, ensure you do not collect the feces with your bare hands. Ensure you measure from the tip of the head to the tail. You will have to concentrate on clues such as colors. Understanding the Causes and Solutions. You can buy food for your skinks at most pet stores, or you can catch your own insects.