Do you love exotic pets? Are you looking for a unique and fascinating lizard to add to your collection? If so, you might want to consider the white eyed crocodile skink. This is a species of insectivorous lizard native to New Guinea and Indonesia.
We have been keeping white eyed crocodile skinks for several years, and we can tell you that they are amazing pets. They are not very active, but they are very curious and intelligent. They can even recognize their owners and respond to their voices. They are also easy to care for, as long as you provide them with the right environment and diet.
In this guide, we will share with you our expert tips and guidelines on how to keep white eyed crocodile skinks happy and healthy. We will cover everything you need to know about the white eyed crocodile skink care, habitat, and lifespan. By the end of this, you will have a clear idea of whether white eyed crocodile skinks are the right pets for you.
Table of Contents
White Eyed Crocodile Skink Care
One of the most important aspects of keeping white eyed crocodile skinks is providing them with proper care. These lizards have specific needs that must be met in order to thrive. Here are the main things you need to know about their care:
Diet
White eyed crocodile skinks are insectivores, which means they eat insects. They are not picky eaters, and they will accept a variety of live prey, such as crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and earthworms. You should feed them every other day, and offer them as many insects as they can eat in 15 minutes.
Also, you should dust the insects with calcium and multivitamin supplements once or twice a week, to prevent nutritional deficiencies. You can also offer them a cuttlebone, which is a source of calcium and helps them sharpen their teeth.
Temperature
White eyed crocodile skinks are tropical lizards, and they need a warm and humid environment. The ideal temperature range for them is between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with a slight gradient from one end of the tank to the other.
You can create a hot spot by using a heat lamp, a heat mat, or a ceramic heat emitter. You should monitor the temperature with a digital thermometer, and adjust it as needed. You should also avoid using heat rocks, as they can cause burns.
Humidity
Humidity is another crucial factor for white eyed crocodile skinks, as they come from a moist and rainy habitat. The ideal humidity level for them is between 70 and 80 percent, which can be achieved by using a humidifier, a misting system, or a spray bottle.
You should mist the tank at least once or twice a day, and check the humidity with a hygrometer. Also, you should provide them with a large water dish, which they can use for drinking and soaking. You should change the water daily, and keep it clean and fresh.
Lighting
White eyed crocodile skinks are nocturnal, which means they are active at night. They do not need much lighting, but they do benefit from a natural day and night cycle. You can use a low-wattage incandescent bulb, or a LED light, to provide them with a 12-hour light cycle.
You should also use a UVB and UVA bulb, which mimics the sun's rays and helps them synthesize vitamin D and regulate their mood. You should replace the bulb every 6 months, and use a timer to turn it on and off.
Supplements
As we mentioned earlier, white eyed crocodile skinks need calcium and multivitamin supplements to prevent nutritional deficiencies. Calcium is essential for their bone health, and multivitamins are important for their overall well-being.
You should dust the insects with calcium powder once or twice a week, and with multivitamin powder once a month. You should also offer them a cuttlebone, which is a source of calcium and helps them sharpen their teeth.
Related Read:
Crocodile Skink - Everything You Need to Know About These Tiny Dragons
White Eyed Crocodile Skink Habitat
Tank Size
White eyed crocodile skinks are not very large, but they do need a decent amount of space to move around and explore. The minimum tank size for a single skink is 20 gallons, and for a pair is 30 gallons. You should use a glass or plastic tank, with a screen lid that can be locked. You should also make sure that the tank has enough ventilation, to prevent mold and bacteria growth.
Substrate
Substrate is the material that covers the bottom of the tank, and it plays a vital role in maintaining the humidity and cleanliness of the habitat. The best substrate options for white eyed crocodile skinks are coco fiber, peat moss, sphagnum moss, or a mix of these.
These substrates retain moisture well and are safe and natural. You should avoid using sand, gravel, wood chips, or pine bedding, as they can cause impaction, irritation, or infection.
You should also avoid using paper towels, as they do not hold humidity well. You should fill the tank with at least 3 inches of substrate, and change it every month.
Decorations
Decorations are the items that you add to the tank to make it more attractive and comfortable for your skink. White eyed crocodile skinks need decorations that provide them with hiding places, climbing opportunities, and visual stimulation.
Some of the best decorations for them are live or artificial plants, logs, rocks, branches, and cork bark. These decorations create a natural and realistic look and offer them places to hide, bask, and explore.
You should arrange the decorations in a way that creates a gradient of temperature and humidity and allows for easy access and cleaning. You should also sanitize the decorations regularly, and replace them if they get damaged or moldy.
Hiding Places
Hiding places are essential for white eyed crocodile skinks, as they are shy and secretive animals. They need hiding places to feel safe, secure, and stress-free. You should provide them with at least two hiding places, one on the warm side and one on the cool side of the tank.
You can use cork bark, coconut shells, or leaf litter, to create natural and cozy hiding places. You should also make sure that the hiding places are large enough for your skink to fit in, and dark enough for them to sleep in.
White Eyed Crocodile Skink Lifespan
One of the most common questions that people have about white eyed crocodile skinks is how long they live. The average lifespan of these lizards is between 5 and 10 years, depending on their genetics, health, diet, and stress level. Here are some of the factors that affect their longevity, and how to extend it:
- Genetics: Some white eyed crocodile skinks may have inherited traits that make them more or less prone to certain diseases or conditions. You can't control this factor, but you can choose a reputable breeder or seller, who can provide you with a healthy and well-bred skink.
- Health: White eyed crocodile skinks are generally hardy and resilient, but they can still suffer from some common health issues, such as parasites, infections, and injuries. You can prevent and treat these issues by keeping the tank clean and hygienic, providing them with a balanced diet and supplements, and checking them regularly for signs of illness.
- Diet: White eyed crocodile skinks need a varied and nutritious diet, to keep them healthy and happy. You should feed them a variety of insects, dusted with calcium and multivitamin supplements, and offer them a cuttlebone. You should also provide them with fresh water daily, and avoid feeding them any human food, fruits, vegetables, or dairy products, as they can cause digestive problems or allergies.
- Stress: White eyed crocodile skinks are sensitive and timid animals, and they can easily get stressed by loud noises, bright lights, or excessive handling. You can reduce their stress level by providing them with a quiet and dim environment, with plenty of hiding places and decorations. You should also handle them gently and infrequently, and respect their personality and preferences.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you a comprehensive and helpful guide on how to keep white eyed crocodile skinks as pets. These lizards are truly amazing and rewarding pets, and they can bring you a lot of joy and satisfaction.
They are not very difficult to care for, as long as you provide them with the right care, habitat, and lifespan. They are also very beautiful and unique, and they can make your home more lively and interesting.
If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you and help you with your white eyed crocodile skink journey. Thank you for reading, and happy skink keeping!
Additional Resource
FAQs About White Eyed Crocodile Skinks
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the white eyed crocodile skink.
What is a white eyed crocodile skink?
A white eyed crocodile skink is a species of insectivorous lizard native to New Guinea and Indonesia. They have a spiny crest, a triangular head, and bright orange rings around their eyes.
How big do white eyed crocodile skinks get?
White eyed crocodile skinks are small lizards, and they only reach 8-10 cm (3-4 inches) in length. They have stout and strong bodies and legs, and they look like mini crocodiles.
How do you take care of a white eyed crocodile skink?
You need to provide a white eyed crocodile skink with a warm and humid environment, a spacious and secure enclosure, a substrate that retains moisture, and decorations that mimic their natural habitat. You also need to feed them a variety of insects, dusted with calcium and multivitamin supplements, and offer them a cuttlebone.
How long do white eyed crocodile skinks live?
The average lifespan of white eyed crocodile skinks is between 5 and 10 years, depending on their genetics, health, diet, and stress level. You can extend their lifespan by keeping them healthy and happy.
What is the difference between a white eyed and red-eyed crocodile skink?
The difference between a white eyed and red-eyed crocodile skink is mainly in their eye color and scientific name. White eyed crocodile skinks have white eyes and belong to the Tribolonotus novaeguineae species, while red-eyed crocodile skinks have red eyes and belong to the Tribolonotus gracilis species.