Long-tailed sun skink (Eutropis longicaudata)

Short answers

Long-tailed sun skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm.

Long-tailed sun skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Long-tailed sun skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Long-tailed sun skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Long-tailed sun skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm

Substrate

Coco humus and sand with leaf litter, stone slabs, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, fruit

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–35 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

South-East Asia, Taiwan

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

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

Diurnal, strong and very keen on food. The females guard their clutches against snakes – one of the few reptiles with genuine brood care. Straightforward to keep.

Do you keep this species?

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

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Related species

• Bronze grass skink (Eutropis macularia) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Rough-scaled sun skink (Eutropis rugifera) – Beginner with some knowledge
• East Indian brown mabuya (Eutropis multifasciata) – Intermediate
• Keeled grass skink (Eutropis carinata) – Beginner with some knowledge
• 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Long-tailed sun skink (Eutropis longicaudata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Coco humus and sand with leaf litter, stone slabs, climbing branches), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.