Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon laticeps)

Short answers

Okada's five-lined skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50×50 cm.

Okada's five-lined skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Okada's five-lined skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Okada's five-lined skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Okada's five-lined skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

55–70 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50×50 cm

Substrate

Forest floor and sand with leaf litter, pieces of bark, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, earthworms

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

15–33 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The south-eastern USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 8–14 °C

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: larger males are documented to aggressively chase off smaller rivals until one is injured or sits permanently in a corner.

Notes

In the mating season the males develop a brilliant orange-red, broadened head. It likes to climb on deadwood. It needs a genuine winter rest for breeding.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon latiscutatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Elegant five-lined skink (Plestiodon elegans) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Common five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) – Intermediate
• Gilbert's skink (Plestiodon gilberti) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Japanese five-lined skink (Plestiodon japonicus) – Beginner with some knowledge
• Coal skink (Plestiodon anthracinus) – Beginner with some knowledge

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Okada's five-lined skink (Plestiodon laticeps) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×50 cm), substrate (Forest floor and sand with leaf litter, pieces of bark, 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.