Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis)
Skinks · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) (origin: New Guinea (humid rainforest floors)). Adult size around 17–20 cm (total length, of which about half is tail). Life expectancy 6–12 years, up to 15. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Red-eyed crocodile skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
From 100 × 50 × 50 cm for one animal or a pair.
Red-eyed crocodile skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 22–26 °C (keep cool!), basking spot ~27–28 °C (only a slight hot spot), at night 18–20 °C.
Red-eyed crocodile skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Recommended (low).
Red-eyed crocodile skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 6–12 years, up to 15.
Red-eyed crocodile skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 22–26 °C (keep cool!)
- Night temperature
- 18–20 °C
- Basking spot
- ~27–28 °C (only a slight hot spot)
- Humidity
- 70–90 %
- UVB
- Recommended (low)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- from 100 × 50 × 50 cm for one animal or a pair
- Substrate
- A damp coco, peat and soil mix, plenty of hides, a water section
Feeding
- Food
- Insects (crickets, worms, isopods), small snails
- Feeding interval
- 2–3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 17–20 cm (total length, of which about half is tail)
- Life expectancy
- 6–12 years, up to 15
- Origin
- New Guinea (humid rainforest floors)
- Protection status
- Protected: EU Annex D - proof of origin required at purchase and resale.
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Pairs only (1.1); several animals of the same sex are very aggressive. The reason: several males fight over territory and the basking spot until one is injured or permanently sits in a corner. Two females do not get along long-term either; even in large enclosures this leads to serious, sometimes fatal biting. The pair needs separate warm spots and hides for each animal.
Notes
Keep it cool and very humid – no high temperatures! Shy; it needs plenty of hides and a water basin (it bathes and swims). The males do not get on with each other.
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Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) currently offered
- Rotaugen-Buschkrokodil (Tribolonotus gracilis) – Keine · Moers · 185 €
Related species
- Poncelet's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus ponceleti) – Expert
- New Guinea crocodile skink (Tribolonotus novaeguineae) – Intermediate
- Schmidt's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus schmidti) – Intermediate
- Prehensile-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) – Intermediate to expert
- Northern monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti) – Expert
- African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) – Intermediate
- Algerian skink (Eumeces algeriensis) – Intermediate
- Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100 × 50 × 50 cm for one animal or a pair), substrate (A damp coco, peat and soil mix, plenty of hides, a water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, 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: Wikipedia DE, cites.application.developpement-durable.gouv.fr, eur-lex.europa.eu, reptifiles.com, swissreptile.ch
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).