Keeled grass skink (Eutropis carinata)
Skinks · Difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge
Key facts and care guidance for Keeled grass skink (Eutropis carinata) (origin: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh). Adult size around 20–28 cm (up to ~37 cm at most). Life expectancy 6–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Keeled grass skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×50 cm for a group.
Keeled grass skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot Basking spot 36–40 °C, at night 20–23 °C.
Keeled grass skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0).
Keeled grass skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 6–12 years.
Keeled grass skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner with some knowledge).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–32 °C
- Night temperature
- 20–23 °C
- Basking spot
- Basking spot 36–40 °C
- Humidity
- 60–80 %
- UVB
- Recommended (UVB 5.0–10.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×50 cm for a group
- Substrate
- A forest-floor and sand mix with leaf litter and flat stones
Feeding
- Food
- Crickets, house crickets, roaches and earthworms, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins
- Feeding interval
- adults 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 20–28 cm (up to ~37 cm at most)
- Life expectancy
- 6–12 years
- Origin
- India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- No winter rest; somewhat cooler and drier in winter
- Cohabitation
- Keeping them singly is the least stressful option. One male with one or two 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 injured or sits permanently in a corner.
Notes
A strong, robust species. It needs floor area and places to hide.
Do you keep this species?
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Related species
- Bronze grass skink (Eutropis macularia) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Long-tailed sun skink (Eutropis longicaudata) – Beginner
- Rough-scaled sun skink (Eutropis rugifera) – Beginner with some knowledge
- East Indian brown mabuya (Eutropis multifasciata) – 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
What you need to start
To keep Keeled grass skink (Eutropis carinata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm for a group), substrate (A forest-floor and sand mix with leaf litter and 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 30 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eutropis_carinata, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Eutropis&species=carinata
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).