Eastern sandfish skink (Scincus mitranus)

Short answers

Eastern sandfish skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

At least ~80×40×40 cm for one animal (floor area matters more than height).

Eastern sandfish skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C (warm side), cool side ~25–27 °C, basking spot 42–45 °C basking spot; the sand surface right at the spot reaches ~50–55 °C in places (surface, not air – the animal lies buried), at night 18–22 °C (heating off at night).

Eastern sandfish skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (~10–12 %; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5; mostly buried, so keep it moderate).

Eastern sandfish skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–10 years.

Eastern sandfish skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C (warm side), cool side ~25–27 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C (heating off at night)

Basking spot

42–45 °C basking spot; the sand surface right at the spot reaches ~50–55 °C in places (surface, not air – the animal lies buried)

Humidity

dry, below 50 %; a damp floor zone or humid hide for shedding

UVB

UVB recommended (~10–12 %; Ferguson zone 3, UV index 3–5; mostly buried, so keep it moderate)

Enclosure

Minimum size

at least ~80×40×40 cm for one animal (floor area matters more than height)

Substrate

Fine, diggable, non-abrasive desert sand, at least 10 cm and preferably 15–20 cm deep (a true sand-swimmer)

Feeding

Food

Insectivorous (crickets, house crickets, roaches, black soldier fly larvae); superworms and mealworms sparingly; dust with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults every other day; juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

18–20 cm total length (SVL ~10 cm)

Life expectancy

8–10 years

Origin

The Arabian Peninsula (Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE) north to western Iran; fine aeolian dune sand

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; IUCN "Least Concern"; no registration duty in Germany. But it is often wild-caught in the trade → check the origin and captive breeding, and have a faecal and veterinary check (parasites)

Brumation

Optional and mild – a pronounced winter rest is not essential given its Arabian origin; for breeding, possibly a short cooler, drier spell (~18–20 °C). Uncertain

Cohabitation

Single housing. This is the safest option; a pair or group (one male with several females) only with a very large floor area and deep sand. Never keep males together.

Notes

A sand swimmer – it buries itself completely (with only the nostrils out), with smooth scales. The mode of reproduction is contradictory in the sources (usually given as egg-laying; one source says ovoviviparous) – uncertain. Common mistakes: sand that is too shallow or sharp-edged, the wrong heat source (a ceramic or coloured bulb instead of a spot), too damp, and too much handling. Quarantine wild-caught animals first. Care is practically identical to S. scincus.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Eastern sandfish skink (Scincus mitranus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Common sandfish skink (Scincus scincus) – Intermediate
• White-banded sandfish skink (Scincus albifasciatus) – Intermediate
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Eastern sandfish skink (Scincus mitranus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (at least ~80×40×40 cm for one animal (floor area matters more than height)), substrate (Fine, diggable, non-abrasive desert sand, at least 10 cm and preferably 15–20 cm deep (a true sand-swimmer)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.