major skink/humidity

[bluetongue]

hey all, i have a question regarding major skink since they live up the coast do they need quite high humidity like pink tongues ? and does anyone have any pictures of major skinks i have notice barely anyone keeps them which is a pity for such a beautiful lizard thanks

 

[RoryBreaker]

Bluetongue,

Major Skinks are one the easiest skinks to keep . Humidity is not a factor . I have kept/bred them in indoors on washed river sand and hollow logs with heat only supplied through a 50watt 12 volt halogen globe ( tip :soak the lens part of the globe in thinner and lever out the lens cover , these globes do produce a little UVB ) .

I now keep my Majors outdoors . Had no problems with juvies or adults surviving the winters in 220litre black bunnings tubs . Given the chance in large outdoor enclosures with deep substrates , they will burry themselves for the winter , reappearing again in September . Bear in mind I'm in SE QLD , further south you may need to bring them inside for winter .They are as hardy as Cunninghams .


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[bluetongue]

thanks for the information rory greatly appreciated, and the pictures ofcourse, its good to know humidity isnt a large factor for them i might have to get some , just a question since their like cunninghams and run away at first site of someone normally may i ask how you kinda feed them? by saying that i mean how do you know they both had their fair share? thats ofcourse if you cant visually watch them eat

 

[RoryBreaker]

Juvies are mainly fed insects but also offered 'barmixed' veges with catfood . You can keep newborns with their parents until the following year's breeding season . I keep the young together from the same year , they tolerate their siblings , but keep them away from the previous years breedings as they do fight . Adults are fed veges ( I'm lazy and use frozen mixed veges ) with a little catfood , sometimes they are treated to insects and pink mice . I always offer them more than what they can eat , that way everyone gets their fill , and they know when they have had enough . I have no problems with obesity in these skinks .

Like Cunninghams , they are flighty , and do not like handling , but they do tolerate your presence if you move about them carefully . Feeding time is one of the best times for observing them . Goodluck

Cheers,

 

[LizardCane]

major skinks

Rory,

Hello, I recently aquired some major skinks and I was wondering if you can share more info regarding their care. How cold tolerant are they? I keep them inside but summer is rapidly approaching in the US and I would like to give them some natural sunshine each day.

I saw the pictures of your setup and it looks like that works really well. How difficult is it to breed them? Also, are the sexes differently colored? I dont have pics up yet, but I have the uniform tan ones and the others that are brown with blackish spots on them. I was told by one vendor that the tans ones are males but another vendor has said that the brown with black spot phenotype are males. I'll upload pics once I can get some good ones taken.

Above all, nice to "meet" you and I appreciate any info that you can share. I just joined this site.

Steve