Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis)
Skinks · Difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge
Key facts and care guidance for Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) (origin: Southern China and Taiwan). Adult size around 20–30 cm. Life expectancy 6–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Chinese skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm for a group.
Chinese skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot Basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 16–20 °C.
Chinese skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0).
Chinese skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 6–12 years.
Chinese skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 16–20 °C
- Basking spot
- Basking spot 35–40 °C
- Humidity
- 50–70 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm for a group
- Substrate
- A forest-floor and sand mix they can dig in, with leaf litter, bark and flat stones
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, house crickets, roaches, earthworms and wax moths, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins
- Feeding interval
- adults 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 20–30 cm
- Life expectancy
- 6–12 years
- Origin
- Southern China and Taiwan
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 6–12 °C — these species come from regions with a real winter
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with one or two females is also possible if every animal gets its own heat spot and hide, and animals of different sizes are fed separately. Two males do not get on: they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner.
Notes
The largest species in the genus, powerfully built.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon laticeps) – Beginner
- Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon latiscutatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Elegant five-lined skink (Plestiodon elegans) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) – Intermediate
- Gilbert's skink (Plestiodon gilberti) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Japanese five-lined skink (Plestiodon japonicus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus) – Beginner with some knowledge
What you need to start
To keep Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a group), substrate (A forest-floor and sand mix they can dig in, with leaf litter, bark and flat stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plestiodon_chinensis, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Plestiodon&species=chinensis
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).