Mabuya skinks (Mabuya spp.)

Short answers

Mabuya skinks: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80 × 50 × 60–80 cm (depends on the species).

Mabuya skinks: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot ~35 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Mabuya skinks: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Mabuya skinks: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Mabuya skinks: Is it suitable for beginners?

Partly – manageable with some prior knowledge (difficulty: Beginner to intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

~35 °C

Humidity

60–80 % (depends on the species)

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80 × 50 × 60–80 cm (depends on the species)

Substrate

A sand and soil mix, stones and roots, exposed basking spots

Feeding

Food

Insects and small invertebrates, a little fruit (insectivorous to omnivorous)

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–25 cm (depends on the species)

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

Africa / Asia / the Americas (sun skinks, the genera Mabuya and Trachylepis)

Protection status

—

Brumation

None (for the tropical species)

Cohabitation

Single housing is the safe choice for most species. Keeping a pair or a group of one male with several females is possible depending on the species. Multiple males practically never get along: they fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured or permanently displaced. Females tend to tolerate each other better, but still need their own basking and hiding spots; feed separately where there is a size difference.

Notes

A genus-level collective entry – adjust the figures to the particular species (arid versus humid origin). Sun-loving; UVB and a warm spot are essential; many species are live-bearing.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• 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
• Blue-tongued water skink (Tropidophorus cocincinensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Bouton's snake-eyed skink (Cryptoblepharus boutonii) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Mabuya skinks (Mabuya spp.) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80 × 50 × 60–80 cm (depends on the species)), substrate (A sand and soil mix, stones and roots, exposed basking spots), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.