Giant legless skink (Acontias plumbeus)
Skinks · Difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge
Key facts and care guidance for Giant legless skink (Acontias plumbeus) (origin: South-eastern Africa). Adult size around 40–55 cm. Life expectancy 6–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Giant legless skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm for a group.
Giant legless skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 23–28 °C, basking spot No basking spot — floor heat is enough, at night 20–23 °C.
Giant legless skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0).
Giant legless skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 6–12 years.
Giant legless skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 23–28 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot — floor heat is enough
- Humidity
- 60–80 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm for a group
- Substrate
- A deep, loose forest-floor and sand mix for digging
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, house crickets, roaches and earthworms, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins
- Feeding interval
- adults 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 40–55 cm
- Life expectancy
- 6–12 years
- Origin
- South-eastern Africa
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- No winter rest; somewhat cooler and drier in winter
- Cohabitation
- Harem (1.2); males never together. The reason: several males fight over territory and the best hiding spots until one is injured or permanently confined to a corner. Females usually get along but need their own hiding spots; feed separately once sizes differ.
Notes
Legless and burrowing. It needs deep, loose substrate and will hardly ever be seen.
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Related species
- Striped legless skink (Acontias lineatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Cape legless skink (Acontias meleagris) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Percival's legless skink (Acontias percivali) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Giant legless skink (Acontias plumbeus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a group), substrate (A deep, loose forest-floor and sand mix for digging), 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/Acontias, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Acontias&species=plumbeus
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).