Fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi)

Short answers

Fire skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100 × 50 × 50 cm (kept singly or as a pair).

Fire skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Fire skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (low).

Fire skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Fire skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–28 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C

Humidity

70–90 %

UVB

Recommended (low)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100 × 50 × 50 cm (kept singly or as a pair)

Substrate

Deep, damp terrarium humus or coco with sphagnum (it digs), plenty of hides

Feeding

Food

Insects (crickets, worms, roaches), occasionally fruit

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–37 cm

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

West and Central Africa (humid forests and forest edges)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Keep singly: this is the least stressful choice; the species is regarded as solitary. A pair (one male and one female) is possible, but needs a larger enclosure, separate feeding spots and observation, because food rivalry and real fights can occur. Two males must never be kept together, and no more than two animals should share an enclosure.

Notes

A ground dweller with a high humidity requirement that digs a lot – deep damp substrate and plenty of hides. Colourful and a good beginner's animal.

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 Fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100 × 50 × 50 cm (kept singly or as a pair)), substrate (Deep, damp terrarium humus or coco with sphagnum (it digs), plenty of hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.