African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata)

Short answers

African five-lined skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×80 cm for a pair (single animal from 80×50×60 cm).

African five-lined skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C (local basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

African five-lined skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

African five-lined skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 7–9 years.

African five-lined skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C (local basking spot)

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×80 cm for a pair (single animal from 80×50×60 cm)

Substrate

Sand-loam with stones and roots

Feeding

Food

Insects, a little fruit

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–28 cm total length (snout–vent length 10–12 cm)

Life expectancy

7–9 years

Origin

Eastern and Central Africa

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

6–8 weeks cooler and darker (lighting and heating off), then ramp back up slowly afterwards

Cohabitation

Keeping one animal alone is the least stressful; 1.1 or 1.2 works given enough space, mainly for breeding – downside: squabbles over basking spots and hides. Keep males separate. The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently sits in a corner. Females usually get along but each needs its own basking spot and hide; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

A very quick, diurnal ground skink; the young have a brilliant blue tail. It needs a basking spot and hide structure.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Variable skink (Trachylepis varia) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Speckle-lipped skink (Trachylepis maculilabris) – Beginner with some knowledge
• African striped skink (Trachylepis striata) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Cape skink (Trachylepis capensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Rainbow skink (Trachylepis margaritifera) – Beginner
• Teita skink (Trachylepis perrotetii) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Zebra skink (Trachylepis dichroma) – Beginner
• Algerian skink (Eumeces algeriensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×80 cm for a pair (single animal from 80×50×60 cm)), substrate (Sand-loam with stones and roots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.