Emerald tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina)

Short answers

Emerald tree skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60 × 45 × 90 cm (kept singly, arboreal and tall; larger for a pair).

Emerald tree skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C (gradient), basking spot ~35 °C, at night ~20 °C.

Emerald tree skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Emerald tree skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Emerald tree skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C (gradient)

Night temperature

~20 °C

Basking spot

~35 °C

Humidity

70–80 % (up to 100 % at night)

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60 × 45 × 90 cm (kept singly, arboreal and tall; larger for a pair)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, plenty of branches and plants (suitable for a bioactive setup)

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, house crickets, roaches), occasionally fruit

Feeding interval

Almost daily to 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

20–25 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

South-East Asia and Oceania (the canopy of tropical forests)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Single housing is safest. Keeping a pair (1,1) or one male with two females (1,2) is also possible given enough space, climbing opportunities and several hiding spots - the key is only one male per enclosure. Two males do not get along: they fight over territory and basking spots until one is permanently displaced and feeds poorly, without any visible injury.

Notes

Strictly arboreal: a tall, densely planted terrarium and UVB are needed. Shy and quick, not an animal for handling; high humidity prevents shedding problems.

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
• Bouton's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus boutonii) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Emerald tree skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60 × 45 × 90 cm (kept singly, arboreal and tall; larger for a pair)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, plenty of branches and plants (suitable for a bioactive setup)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.