Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus)

Short answers

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

80 × 40 × 50 cm (semi-arboreal, some height).

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

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30–38 °C (basking spot), at night 18–20 °C.

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

UVB: Essential (5–7 % UVB).

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

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

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

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

30–38 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

Essential (5–7 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80 × 40 × 50 cm (semi-arboreal, some height)

Substrate

Forest floor and leaf litter, stones, pieces of bark, a water section

Feeding

Food

Insects and invertebrates (crickets, spiders, worms)

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–22 cm

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

Eastern North America (temperate forest)

Protection status

—

Brumation

A winter rest of ~2–4 months (cool, with no feeding) – compulsory for health and breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option, especially for males. The reason is territory: two animals do not voluntarily share a heat spot or hide, and they fight until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner - often with no visible wound but worse feeding behaviour.

Notes

A temperate species with an obligatory winter rest; the young have a strikingly blue tail. It climbs close to the ground, and needs UVB and a warm spot.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) in the marketplace →

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
• Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Elegant five-lined skink (Plestiodon elegans) – Beginner with some knowledge
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80 × 40 × 50 cm (semi-arboreal, some height)), substrate (Forest floor and leaf litter, stones, pieces of bark, 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.