Fire Skink Setup and Full Caresheet
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Disclaimer: I am by no way an expert, just a guy who spent a lot of time researching and experiencing. So take the time to read the description if you are interested in becoming the owner of this beautiful species of skink.
My two Fire Skinks, named Coal and Tinder are housed in a 60x45x45 enclosure.
They are still roughly only 3-4 months old so are still being fed on mealworms and crickets. They will eventually grow to be around 11 inches long and can eat fairly large insects.
Feeding
Fire skinks are mostly insectivorous, but some captive bred skinks have shown to enjoy a bit of greens with their meals but it is usually not the case.
Multivitamin supplementation is an important aspect of their diet, especially when feeding mealworms, because they generally don't provide a great deal of nutrition.
Calcium supplementation is also a crucial part of their diet in order for them to have proper bone growth and health.
Gut loading insects is always a good idea.
Heating:
I have a heat mat in place behind the vivarium, which I don't use in the summer months due to hot room temperatures. They enjoy a hot side of around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit (26-30 Celsius) , and a cold spot of around 75 (24 Celsius). Their bedding is roughly 2 inches deep at the size they are now, but will thicken to around 4 inches when they're adults. The reason why the heat mat is at the back of the vivarium not underneath is due to said bedding which won’t allow penetration of heat.
Bedding:
I make use of regular Coconut peat which is moistened roughly twice a week to ensure correct substrate humidity. A good gauge of substrate humidity is grabbing some in your hand and squeezing. It will feel moist but will not drip.
Cleaning:
I spot clean whenever I find some faeces on the surface of the substrate, but seeing as they are generally a burrowing species; it is unlikely that you will pick up most of their waste.
For this reason, live plants are commonly used, which make use of the wastes as fertiliser, but one must ensure that said plants are not toxic (Google it). I make use of a plastic vines to add colour to the vivarium. I am also planning on making a background for the vivarium.
Due to the fact that most of their waste cannot be picked up, the substrate must be replaced roughly once a month or 2 months, but your nose is the best indication. If it starts to smell at all it is wise to replace it.
Decorations:
I make use of some cork bark for decorations for them to climb on, and hide in, but also have plastic vines which they also enjoy hiding behind.
Drinking:
I am currently using a Styrofoam dish for water, however I am replacing it. The reason why I am currently using one is because my proper dish broke. I would not suggest using one unless you're on a budget.
The water dish should be big enough for the skink to fit into because it is seen that they do enjoy entering the water dish for a swim or just to cool off, as you could tell by how dirty the water bowl of my skinks is.
Lighting:
The only lighting I make use of is the light which comes off of the UVB bulb. However, if one wishes to, he could buy Red LED strips and use those. Reptiles cannot see red light, so it is a good tool for u to get some night time viewing. But seeing as fire skinks are diurnal, it's unlikely that they will be active during the night.
I make use of a UVB bulb in order to give the skinks that little extra vitamin D3 to aid in correct bone growth. Vitamin D is also a Hormone involved in many biologically important processes including growth, sexual maturity and many others in ALL animals including humans. In humans, a lack of it has even been associated with increased risk of cancer, so a little Vitamin D never hurt anyone, especially if they’re in a dark-ish room.
Thanks for watching the video :)
Hope this helps, any questions feel free to comment :)
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