Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus)

Short answers

Gran Canaria skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm.

Gran Canaria skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Gran Canaria skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 6 %).

Gran Canaria skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Gran Canaria skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

45–60 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam with leaf litter and stones, diggable

Feeding

Food

Small insects

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–20 cm

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

Gran Canaria – endemic

Protection status

Protected in Spain – proof of origin matters

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with several females in a small group is also possible if every animal gets its own heat spot and hide, and animals of different sizes are fed separately. Two males do not get on: they fight over territory and the basking spot until one is seriously injured or sits permanently in a corner.

Notes

A small, glossy skink with short legs; it partly moves with a snaking motion. Live-bearing. Endemic – buy captive-bred animals only.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Italian three-toed skink (Chalcides chalcides) – Beginner
• Ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) – 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 Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm), substrate (Sand-loam with leaf litter and stones, diggable), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.