Shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa)

Short answers

Shingleback skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150 × 80 × 80 cm (a pair), from 250 × 100 × 100 cm for groups.

Shingleback skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–30 °C, basking spot 35–40 °C, at night 15–20 °C.

Shingleback skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (10–12 % UVB).

Shingleback skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: very long-lived, 30–50+ years.

Shingleback skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–30 °C

Night temperature

15–20 °C

Basking spot

35–40 °C

Humidity

40–60 %

UVB

Essential (10–12 % UVB)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150 × 80 × 80 cm (a pair), from 250 × 100 × 100 cm for groups

Substrate

A sand and soil mix, stone slabs, bark, cork tubes

Feeding

Food

Mostly plant-based (~80 %: leaves, flowers, vegetables, fruit), ~20 % animal food (snails, insects)

Feeding interval

2–3× a week

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 30–40 cm

Life expectancy

very long-lived, 30–50+ years

Origin

Southern and Western Australia (arid areas)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; an Australian export ban (captive-bred animals only)

Brumation

A winter rest or cooling of ~2–3 months at ~10–15 °C (compulsory for breeding)

Cohabitation

A pair is closest to natural behaviour: shingleback skinks are among the few monogamous reptiles and form stable partnerships over years, reuniting at breeding time. Outside the bond they are territorial – several males fight over territory and basking spots until one is injured. Females usually get along but need their own warm spots and hides.

Notes

The shingleback: live-bearing with 1–2 very large young, monogamous and extremely long-lived. A cool overwintering and a mainly plant-based diet are essential.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Centralian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua multifasciata) – Intermediate
• Common blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides) – Beginner
• Halmahera blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) – Intermediate
• Indonesian blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas) – Beginner to intermediate
• Irian Jaya blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua sp. „Irian Jaya") – Intermediate
• Kei Island blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) – Intermediate
• Merauke blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua gigas evanescens) – Intermediate
• Northern blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Shingleback skink (Tiliqua rugosa) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150 × 80 × 80 cm (a pair), from 250 × 100 × 100 cm for groups), substrate (A sand and soil mix, stone slabs, bark, cork tubes), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.