Black rock skink (Egernia saxatilis)

Short answers

Black rock skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×70×60 cm for a family group.

Black rock skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot Basking spot 40–45 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Black rock skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Black rock skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

Black rock skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 40–45 °C

Humidity

35–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×70×60 cm for a family group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with solid rock structures and roots

Feeding

Food

Insects and plant food in rotation — these species eat considerably more greens than other skinks

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–28 cm

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Eastern Australia

Protection status

Australia has not exported wildlife for decades — only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler rest of 8–10 weeks at 12–16 °C

Cohabitation

A group (family unit) is normal and desirable for this relationship group: monogamous nuclear families in which parents and offspring live together for over a year. Never combine unfamiliar males.

Notes

It lives in stable family groups in rock crevices — the young stay with their parents. That is precisely why the enclosure needs several separate crevices.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Black rock skink (Egernia saxatilis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Tree skink (Egernia striolata) – Beginner
• Cunningham's skink (Egernia cunninghami) – Intermediate
• Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink (Egernia hosmeri) – Intermediate
• Desert skink (Egernia formosa) – Intermediate
• King's skink (Egernia kingii) – Intermediate
• Eastern crevice skink (Egernia mcpheei) – Intermediate
• Richard's crevice skink (Egernia richardi) – Intermediate
• Pygmy spiny-tailed skink (Egernia depressa) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Black rock skink (Egernia saxatilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×60 cm for a family group), substrate (A sand-loam mix they can dig in, with solid rock structures 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.