Northern monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti)

Short answers

Northern monkey-tailed skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×80×180 cm (height).

Northern monkey-tailed skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot 32–34 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

Northern monkey-tailed skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5–6 %).

Northern monkey-tailed skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–25 years.

Northern monkey-tailed skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

32–34 °C

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 5–6 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×80×180 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, caves

Feeding

Food

Purely plant-based: leaves (ficus, hibiscus, pothos), vegetables

Feeding interval

fresh greens daily for adults

Key facts

Adult size

60–75 cm

Life expectancy

20–25 years

Origin

The Solomon Islands – rainforest

Protection status

CITES II

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group (a fixed family unit, a so-called 'circulus'); unfamiliar animals not raised together are intolerant of each other and fight over territory. Both sexes are territorial. Offspring stay in the group for 6-12 months and are protected by all the adults — one of the few truly social lizard species.

Notes

The only arboreal, purely plant-eating skink with a prehensile tail. Live-bearing, usually with a single large young. Very prone to stress – let groups grow up together only.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Northern monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) – Intermediate to expert
• Poncelet's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus ponceleti) – Expert
• Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) – Intermediate
• New Guinea crocodile skink (Tribolonotus novaeguineae) – Intermediate
• Schmidt's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus schmidti) – Intermediate
• Peters' banded skink (Scincopus fasciatus) – Expert
• Pygmy blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua adelaidensis) – Expert
• African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Northern monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×80×180 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus, sturdy climbing branches, caves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.