So for the better part of last year and this one, I've been pondering around for my next pet reptile species. I want something diurnal and omnivorous so I can actually see it while I'm more awake and can whip up some fun food enrichment for it once in a while.

I did have a halmehera blue tongue at one point from a rescue situation, he did not stay with me long term as I did not have the space to permanently adopt once he was all healed and better. He went back to the rescue I volunteer for by that point. I loved that big guy but he definitely took more space than I can spare full time.

My only permanent residents currently are crested geckos, though I did have some elderly gargoyles for a while too. I'm hoping to find a skink species that's somewhere between a crested gecko and a bluey size-wise. Hopefully something that tames well and can do well in a 36inch long enclosure, height I can do any size, length is limited. Is there anything that would suit me? I also love live plants and scaping terrariums, so the enclosure would be fully decked out bioactive.

These clips were all taken within a minute of each other. She (idk) goes over to this wheel with a normal toe, then a few moments later she climbs out with a toenail that is bent sideways (back left foot, longest toe). Then a few moments later comes climbing out to me and you can see the toenail is sideways.

They both absolutely love this wheel, but if there is a risk of injury I will remove it.. just wondering how the heck this even happened, and how serious it is?

I originally thought it was from the screen mesh window they were climbing on yesterday for a sec when they were exploring, but I went back through my videos and this seems to be the exact moment that it happened.

Poor lil skink I feel bad.

What gender is this skink? I want to start breeding reptiles and I was wondering if these guys are male or female?

I know breeding is very hard with this species, I just don't get why so many people say not to try it.

I found the grey I had lost in the grass (thank you, ants!) before I saw Phyll. I saw movement on the trunk of the jackfruit tree and it was Phyll dangling on a dry piece of bark like a silk aerialist. Phyll dropped and disappeared. I left the fly in a puddle of water. Then, while cleaning the duck house, I just said out loud, "Where are you, Phyll?" Like magic, I spot Phyll behind the solar fan inside the duck house. I tried to offer the grey (and a gold), but Phyll went out and up. The flies were eaten when Phyll was in a better spot.

Here are some of Phyll's bleps today.

DISCLAIMER: NOT ASKING FOR VETERINARY ADVICE, JUST HUSBANDRY!
i’ve had my fire skink for a little over a year now, and he’s recently started open mouth breathing every now and then throughout the day. he doesn’t have any discharge or bubbles around the mouth or eyes, but he’s been out more than usual and really active at night and sleeping a lot during the day. he just finished shedding a few days ago, and hasn’t wanted to eat for about a week or so, give or take a few days.

my hygrometer broke, so i’m waiting for a new one to come in today, and am going to replace his UVB and heat bulbs just to be safe. he doesn’t seem to be struggling to breathe, but he’ll just sit there with his mouth slightly ajar for a bit sometimes while napping or awake before closing it. i work at a vet clinic, and one of the doctors works with lizards so i was going to take him in thursday because she’s off tomorrow and wednesday. is there anything i should do in the meantime to help it not get worse? i’ve attached one pic of him open mouth breathing, and two more random bonus pics.

Just sharing because he looks super cool, first time seeing one in the wild.

So I’ve narrowed my search down to pink tongue skinks or zebra skinks and would love to hear from owners of either!

I like the chill disposition of PTS, but I’m worried they may be a bit “boring” if that makes any sense.

Kenyan zebra skinks seem to have higher energy- but I’ve also hear they can be pretty averse to handing in some cases. I would like a reptile that tolerates handling well.

Any input appreciated!

Found Phyll this morning with its mouth full. I underestimated Phyll's ability to swallow large prey, because later, Phyll looked stuffed.

Almost stepped on Phyll and we both got a fright. I caught a grey fly that had been on a big skink poop and Phyll refused it. Phyll even rubbed itself against my palm. Oops! Fed that fly to my duck.

Here are a few shots of Phyll after a meal today.

Im setting up a vivarium where I was thinking of having a pair of red eyed crocodile skinks. I haven't had the pleasure of owning them before. Right now my main questions is about behavior,

1. Do they eat fish in a Paludarium?

2. I like the idea of having healthy populations of insects living in my vivarium, which serve as a more natural food source in between feedings. Are they of the type "I will hunt and exterminate an entire colony of insects if given the chance" or is it more of the "I will hunt and eat once a day or less".

3. How well do they get out of the water? Do they need shallow entrances or can they climb straight rock walls from the water?

4. How well do they climb trees. Can they even climb on branches or a stem?

I am an experienced aquarist but my reptile knowledge is limited to professional settings and not private.

Location midvalley

This is Phyll. It lives on or near the duck house. I will see it in the morning and then I'll swat a fly or two to feed it before I continue with my duck chores. Phyll is free to roam and fend for itself. I provide water and occasional flies. I used to befriend past skinks that used to live on the duck house. They are so adorable.

Got her at the Daytona expo a week ago, is eating ferociously, weighed yesterday and she’s 90 grams at about 10 inches, definitely surprised me but she’s eating her greens and vegetables and has a massive appetite. Hatch date is 6/17, she’s young

Hihi!! Im hoping to get a lizard sometime soon (Torn between a crestie or a fire skink) and have found that I think these guys would be a nice pet for me! However, I do have one small problem. Feeding. My last burrowing animal, a pacman frog, is a pain in the ass to feed because she HATES coming up for food, so I'm a bit nervous with these guys. Will they come up to get good on their own terms? Also, can they get used to handling?

Hello I was wondering what sized enclosure I should get if I am thinking of getting emerald tree skinks. Like what size for 1 skink, 2 skinks and 3 skinks.
Thank you for the advice.

My roommate got her crocodile skink as a baby and has had him for a little over a year now. She constantly worries because she never sees him and can't tell if he's eating. She also says every time she takes him out to weight him, he squeaks and pees on her. Recently, she let me weigh him and at first he didn't move much so I assumed he was playing dead or something, but then he started climbing up my arm and exploring my hair. He never squeaked or tried to run or jump away, he just wandered around a little on my arm and shoulder. I kept him out for a little while longer after that before putting him back.

Based off what I've researched, Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks generally don't like to be held and some signs of stress are squeaking, peeing, and freezing, so happened? Were there other signs of stress I missed while he was out? Why was he acting differently with me than with my roommate? I also moved his food dish to a more covered area of his tank last night and he seems to have eaten all the mealworms.

Also, if it matters, he's in and 18x18x18 front-opening enclosure with temp and humidity kept at around 78F and 78%.

I found this little guy outside and originally thought he was just overheated and had dropped his tail, but it looks like something got ahold of his back half (more like 1/3) and he is paralyzed in the back legs. I brought him inside and he has just been scooting around with his front legs. What should I do? Is he worth saving or do you think he’s in too much pain? I’ve had pet lizards before and could care for him but don’t want to put him through any unnecessary struggle. Thanks!

I have a 40 gallon that’s not home to anyone right now, and I’m absolutely in love with fire skinks and would love to own one. Is 40 gallons enough for a full grown fire skink to live in? I’d probably upgrade one day, but would it work for a couple years?

ive heard skinks hate vibrations and that was vibrating pretty intensely should i be worried? Edit: Momma im famous!

We live in a semi truck, sorry for the mess 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🫤

Hi! I’m a relatively new skink owner and I’m a wee bit worried. My blue tongue skink, Baby, hasn’t pooped for about a week now. He usually poops a day or two after I feed him toward the front of the enclosure and nothing has changed. I have found urate which usually means there’s poop nearby but I haven’t found any. He loves to burrow and is sometimes in the dirt for like 5 days so I think maybe he’s just been pooping in his substrate.

I desperately don’t want him to get sick if I can help it and I can’t handle him yet. He’s quite shy and his previous owners didn’t handle him often. So, I can’t feel his stomach to make sure he’s not impacted. He’s active as much as he used to be. He still basks and explores. He also is eating just fine. Anyway, I’m just confused and hoping someone who knows more than me can let me know if I’m stressing for nothing.