Tree skink (Egernia striolata)

Short answers

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

120×60×60 cm.

Tree skink: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 42 °C, at night 16–20 °C.

Tree skink: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential, medium strength (UVB 5–6%).

Tree skink: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–20 years.

Tree skink: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

16–20 °C

Basking spot

42 °C

Humidity

40–55 %

UVB

Essential, medium strength (UVB 5–6%)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, pieces of bark, stone slabs, climbing branches

Feeding

Food

Insects, leafy greens, fruit, flowers

Feeding interval

3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

18–22 cm total length

Life expectancy

15–20 years

Origin

Eastern and southern Australia

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–10 weeks

Cohabitation

As a family group: a fixed pair with its offspring. In the wild the species lives in groups of two to ten, usually two to four animals, that are related to one another and recognise each other by scent; pairs stay together for years. Two adult males do not get along. One male with several females is not this species' natural structure and should only be attempted with plenty of space and visual cover. Unfamiliar adult animals are not readily accepted — new groupings are introduced slowly, with several hiding crevices, several basking spots and separate feeding stations. Juveniles can be raised together without problems.

Notes

Live-bearing and decidedly social – it lives in stable family groups with the young alongside their parents. It needs flat bark and stone crevices as retreats.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Cunningham's skink (Egernia cunninghami) – Intermediate
• Black rock skink (Egernia saxatilis) – Intermediate
• Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink (Egernia hosmeri) – Intermediate
• Desert skink (Egernia formosa) – Intermediate
• King's skink (Egernia kingii) – Intermediate
• Eastern crevice skink (Egernia mcpheei) – Intermediate
• Richard's crevice skink (Egernia richardi) – Intermediate
• Pygmy spiny-tailed skink (Egernia depressa) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Tree skink (Egernia striolata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, pieces of bark, stone slabs, 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.