Bouton's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus boutonii)

Short answers

Bouton's snake-eyed skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm for a group.

Bouton's snake-eyed skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–31 °C, basking spot Basking spot 34–38 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Bouton's snake-eyed skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0).

Bouton's snake-eyed skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–12 years.

Bouton's snake-eyed skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–31 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

Basking spot 34–38 °C

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm for a group

Substrate

A sand-loam mix with stone slabs and a water section

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches and earthworms, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–12 cm

Life expectancy

6–12 years

Origin

Mauritius und vorgelagerte Inselchen (Maskarenen); die Art wurde taxonomisch stark aufgeteilt, frühere Funde von weiteren Küsten des Indischen Ozeans gehören heute zu eigenständigen Cryptoblepharus-Arten.

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest; somewhat cooler and drier in winter

Cohabitation

Keep in pairs (1.2); never house males together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the warm spot until one is injured or spends its life in a corner. Females usually get on but each needs its own retreat; feed separately once they differ in size.

Notes

It lives on rocks in the splash zone. Eyes without movable lids.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) – Intermediate
• Algerian skink (Eumeces algeriensis) – Intermediate
• Berber skink (Eumeces schneideri) – Beginner to intermediate
• Berdmore's water skink (Tropidophorus berdmorei) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Pacific blue-tailed skink (Emoia caeruleocauda) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Blue-tongued water skink (Tropidophorus cocincinensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bowring's supple skink (Lygosoma bowringii) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Bouton's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus boutonii) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a group), substrate (A sand-loam mix with stone slabs and a water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.