White-banded sandfish skink (Scincus albifasciatus)
Skinks · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for White-banded sandfish skink (Scincus albifasciatus) (origin: North-western Africa – sand dunes). Adult size around 16–20 cm total length. Life expectancy 8–12 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
White-banded sandfish skink: How big does the enclosure need to be?
100×50×40 cm.
White-banded sandfish skink: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 30–36 °C, basking spot 45 °C, at night 18–22 °C.
White-banded sandfish skink: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).
White-banded sandfish skink: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 8–12 years.
White-banded sandfish skink: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 30–36 °C
- Night temperature
- 18–22 °C
- Basking spot
- 45 °C
- Humidity
- 20–35 %
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 100×50×40 cm
- Substrate
- Very deep, fine drift sand (20–30 cm), a few flat stones
Feeding
- Food
- House crickets, crickets, mealworm larvae, roaches
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 16–20 cm total length
- Life expectancy
- 8–12 years
- Origin
- North-western Africa – sand dunes
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler dry spell of 6–8 weeks
- Cohabitation
- A small group. Two males will not work together — they fight over territory and the warm spot until one is seriously injured or spends its life in a corner. One male with several females, on the other hand, works reliably. What matters is several warm spots and hides so that subordinate animals can get out of the way, and separate feeding as soon as the animals differ in size.
Notes
It "swims" through loose wind-blown sand – the sand layer has to be genuinely deep and fine-grained, or the behaviour does not work. To be kept drier and hotter than Scincus scincus.
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Related species
- Eastern sandfish skink (Scincus mitranus) – Intermediate
- Common sandfish skink (Scincus scincus) – Intermediate
- African five-lined skink (Trachylepis quinquetaeniata) – Intermediate
- Algerian skink (Eumeces algeriensis) – Intermediate
- Berber skink (Eumeces schneideri) – Beginner to intermediate
- Berdmore's water skink (Tropidophorus berdmorei) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Mountain skink (Plestiodon callicephalus) – Beginner with some knowledge
- Pacific blue-tailed skink (Emoia caeruleocauda) – Beginner with some knowledge
What you need to start
To keep White-banded sandfish skink (Scincus albifasciatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50×40 cm), substrate (Very deep, fine drift sand (20–30 cm), a few flat stones), 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: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apothekerskink, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scincus_albifasciatus
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).