Prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata)

Short answers

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

From 175×105×175 cm for one animal; for a pair from 200×105×175 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Prehensile-tailed skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot about 30 °C at a basking spot, at night 20–24 °C.

Prehensile-tailed skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Yes (UVB 5–6%, 12 h in summer, 8 h in winter).

Prehensile-tailed skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years, up to 30.

Prehensile-tailed skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

about 30 °C at a basking spot

Humidity

60–80 %, higher at night than during the day

UVB

Yes (UVB 5–6%, 12 h in summer, 8 h in winter)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 175×105×175 cm for one animal; for a pair from 200×105×175 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

Coco humus or forest floor, plenty of stable climbing branches

Feeding

Food

A pure plant-eater – leaves (pothos, hibiscus), vegetables, little fruit

Feeding interval

Daily to several times a week on plant food

Key facts

Adult size

up to 75–80 cm including the prehensile tail (the largest skink)

Life expectancy

15–25 years, up to 30

Origin

Solomon Islands as well as Bougainville and Buka (Papua New Guinea) — coastal and montane rainforests up to approx. 1,000 m

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU B – paperwork required

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Sociable – stable family groups or a pair are possible, but they are territorial towards strangers

Notes

A nocturnal, arboreal strict herbivore – it needs a large, tall, densely structured climbing terrarium. A CITES II species and not one for beginners.

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

• Northern monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti) – 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
• African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) – Intermediate
• Algerian skink (Eumeces algeriensis) – Intermediate
• Tree skink (Egernia striolata) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 175×105×175 cm for one animal; for a pair from 200×105×175 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (Coco humus or forest floor, plenty of stable 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.