Percival's legless skink (Acontias percivali)
Skinks · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Percival's legless skink (Acontias percivali) (origin: East Africa, southern Africa). Adult size around 20–28 cm total length. Life expectancy 8–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Percival's legless skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×40×30 cm.
Percival's legless skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 17–21 °C.
Percival's legless skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Percival's legless skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 8–15 years.
Percival's legless skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 24–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 17–21 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- 50–65 %
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×40×30 cm
- Substrate
- Loose sand-loam 15–20 cm, leaf litter, flat stones
Feeding
- Food
- Earthworms, termites, small insect larvae
- Feeding interval
- 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 20–28 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 8–15 years
- Origin
- East Africa, southern Africa
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks
- Cohabitation
- Group, small. Two males do not get along - they fight over territory and the best hiding spots until one is seriously injured or permanently confined to a corner. One male with several females works reliably, however. Several hiding spots are important so lower-ranking animals can move away, and feeding should be separated once the animals differ in size.
Notes
Entirely legless and burrowing – it lives practically always in the substrate and is hardly ever seen above ground. Live-bearing. It is not an animal to watch, but it is decidedly long-lived and easy to care for.
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Related species
- Striped legless skink (Acontias lineatus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Cape legless skink (Acontias meleagris) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Giant legless skink (Acontias plumbeus) – 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
- Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
What you need to start
To keep Percival's legless skink (Acontias percivali) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×40×30 cm), substrate (Loose sand-loam 15–20 cm, leaf litter, flat stones), a heat source with a thermostat, 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: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acontias, https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Acontias&species=percivali
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).