Italian three-toed skink (Chalcides chalcides)

Short answers

Italian three-toed skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×30 cm.

Italian three-toed skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 38 °C, at night 15–19 °C.

Italian three-toed skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Italian three-toed skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 6–10 years.

Italian three-toed skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

15–19 °C

Basking spot

38 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×30 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam they can dig in, tussocks of grass, flat stones

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, small roaches

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–40 cm total length, rarely up to 48 cm

Life expectancy

6–10 years

Origin

The Mediterranean, North Africa

Protection status

Protected in parts of its range – only captive-bred animals with proof of origin

Brumation

A winter rest of 8–12 weeks at 8–14 °C

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. A small group with one male and several females is possible if plenty of heat spots and hides are provided along with dense ground vegetation for cover, 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

Snake-like with tiny, functionless legs – it moves with a snaking motion through tussocks of grass. Live-bearing. It needs dense ground vegetation as cover.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Italian three-toed skink (Chalcides chalcides) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Gran Canaria skink (Chalcides sexlineatus) – Intermediate
• 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 Italian three-toed skink (Chalcides chalcides) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×30 cm), substrate (Sand-loam they can dig in, tussocks of grass, flat stones), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.