Schmidt's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus schmidti)

Short answers

Schmidt's crocodile skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×40 cm.

Schmidt's crocodile skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–29 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Schmidt's crocodile skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 5.0).

Schmidt's crocodile skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Schmidt's crocodile skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–29 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

75–90 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×40 cm

Substrate

Damp coco humus with leaf litter, cork tubes, a large water dish

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches, earthworms

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

ca. 9 cm Gesamtlänge (Holotyp: Kopf-Rumpf 3,9 cm, mit Schwanz 8,8 cm) – deutlich kleiner als T. gracilis/novaeguineae

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

The Solomon Islands

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Pair housing is possible, but males must be strictly separated - two males fight over territory and hiding spots until one is injured or permanently cornered. Females usually tolerate each other but need their own hiding spots each; feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

Like T. gracilis, but without the orange eye ring. It lives very hidden and is skittish – it needs permanently damp substrate and plenty of hides. It squeaks audibly when pressed.

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

• Poncelet's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus ponceleti) – Expert
• Red-eyed crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis) – Intermediate
• New Guinea crocodile skink (Tribolonotus novaeguineae) – 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

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Schmidt's crocodile skink (Tribolonotus schmidti) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×40 cm), substrate (Damp coco humus with leaf litter, cork tubes, a large water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.