Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus)

Short answers

Great Plains skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×40 cm.

Great Plains skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 27–33 °C, basking spot 42 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Great Plains skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Great Plains skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Great Plains skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

27–33 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

42 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×40 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, bark

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, mealworm larvae

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

16–25 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The central USA – prairie

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with several females 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 burrowing prairie dweller, often in the substrate by day. To be kept drier than the broad-headed skink. Simulating winter matters for health and breeding.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon laticeps) – Beginner
• Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon latiscutatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Elegant five-lined skink (Plestiodon elegans) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) – Intermediate
• Gilbert's skink (Plestiodon gilberti) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Japanese five-lined skink (Plestiodon japonicus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Great Plains skink (Plestiodon obsoletus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, flat stones, bark), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.