Sandfish Skink (Scincus scincus)

Sandfish Skink Scincus scincus
Name	Sandfish Skink
Name Lat.	Scincus scincus
Family	Skinks
Family lat.	Scincidae
Order	Scaled Reptiles
Order lat.	Squamata
Origin	Africa, Asia
Habitat	Dry savanna, desert
Diet	Insects
Humidity	50-60 %
Behavior	Peaceful
Keeping	Individual, pair
Care Level	Easy
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Dry terrarium
Life Span	10 years
Protection	No
Metric Units
Size	20 cm
Temperature	23-28 °C
Temperature Local	45 °C
Housing Size	80 x 50 x 50 cm
US Units
Size	7.9"
Temperature	73-82 °F
Temperature Local	113 °F
Housing Size	30" x 20" x 20"

Distribution and habitat

Diurnal to crepuscular, apothecary skinks are widespread from northwest Africa through the Arabian Peninsula to Iran. They live in deserts and semi-deserts as well as in dry savannahs and cultivated landscapes on sand, in which they often bury themselves.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the terrarium, according to the size and number of animals

1-2 animals

5KRL x 4KRL x 3KRL (L x W x H)

Head-torso length (KRL) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 15%. A terrarium of L 80 x W 50 x H 50 cm for 1-2 animals is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place

They need a dry terrarium with flat stone structures, hiding places and structured back and side walls (e.g. cork covering) as well as a small water bowl and a 20 cm deep substrate for digging. Fine sand or bird grit covered with some dry leaves, pieces of bark and debris is suitable for this, as well as planting for decoration (succulents, ornamental grasses, cacti, etc.). In the morning and evening the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water inside (humidity), but it is better to use a rain or fog system.

Temp. day: 23-28 °C

Temp. night: 17-20 °C

Temp. local: up to 45 °C

Humidity: 50-60

The lighting duration must be 12-14 hrs. depending on the season. They need high light intensity and daily UV irradiation as well as sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The food supply consists of live insects, such as crickets, house crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, zophobas, etc. Alternatively, special ready-made food for insectivorous reptiles can be offered, possibly with tweezers for habituation. Wax moths should rarely be fed in very small amounts due to their large fat content. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins (e.g. by dusting the feeders) is important. Young animals should be offered food daily, adults 4-5 times a week. Drinking water must always be available

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

The sexes are difficult to distinguish. The males are slightly larger. A reliable sex determination is only possible by testosterone determination or endoscopy.

They are oviparous and a clutch consists of 3-8 eggs. The incubation period is 55-60 days at a temperature of 26-28 °C. However, viviparous females have also been observed. Small insects such as fruit flies, aphids, micro crickets, etc. are suitable as initial food

The life expectancy can be 10 years.

Important

They can be kept in a group and behave territorially only during the mating season. They are often aggressive towards other species

With their very smooth scales, a wedge-shaped snout for burrowing and ear openings covered with scales, they are fully adapted to life in the sand. They bury themselves in the sand when it is hot and dangerous, but they also lie in wait for their prey in this way when hunting.

According to their need for light and warmth, they require sunny places, such as spots irradiated by a spotlight. A hibernation of about 2 months, at a temperature of 15-18 °C and a lighting period of about 8 hours is recommended. The quality of the food animals can be upgraded by giving fruit and honey water as food.

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: petdata; Image: petdata 

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF