Skink is a reptile belonging to the family of lizards. Skinks are distinguished by a smooth, fish-like scales, under which are located bone plates - osteoderms. The color of the skinks is not bright, but there are also variegated individuals. Dimensions vary from 8 to 70 cm. There are more than 90 genera of skinks and about 1200 species. Inhabit skits in deserts, in the tropics, in temperate latitudes. Among the skinks there are both terrestrial lizards, and underground, near-water, wood and sand.
Varieties
The most common varieties of skinks, some of which can be found in home terrariums:
- fiery skink;
- tench tail skink;
- New Guinea (kaskolovy, crocodile and red-eyed skinks);
- blue-tongue skink (short-tailed skink).
Fiery skink firnana - the brightest representative of the family. He also grows to 35-37 cm. He lives about 15 years. The fiery skink feeds on insects and snails. This skink needs a small horizontal terrarium with soil, with a temperature of 20-22 ° C at night and 26-28 ° C in the daytime.
Short-tailed skink is a kind of blue-tongued skink. This viviparous reptile looks amusing enough - instead of a tail it has an ending, similar to an elongated cone. Eat both vegetable and animal food, sometimes swallow pebbles, which they need for digestion. It's worth taking care that small stones are always in the terrarium.
Red-eyed skink has a red or bright orange eye stroke. They grow up to only 15 cm. At a young age, this kind of skinks has a discreet color, the stroke appears at a fairly mature age. This lizard has not been studied enough. Red-eyed skink refers to the genus of the New Guinean skinks, also called kaskolovymi. On the sides of the head they have large shields, similar to a helmet.
Chain-tailed skink is the largest lizard of the family of scintillas. Can reach a length of 76 cm, with half a tail. This rare species of lizards is recommended to be kept in spacious terrariums with a humidity of 70-80% and a temperature of at least 31 ° C. If several individuals live in the terrarium, you need to think through them mink, which can be made from bark. Chain-tailed skinks like sprouted grains, grass, nuts, zucchini, and snails and crickets.
The blue-tongue skink among lizards is considered to be the most intelligent, for this genus live birth is also characteristic. This species is quite common, blue-tongued skinks are found not only in the tropics or cold mountain regions, they often live in parks and gardens. They have a clumsy appearance, but despite this, they are brisk and tenacious. Not picky in food, eat even carrion.
Skink Care
Feeding skink - it's pretty troublesome. You need to know exactly what kind of variety lives at home, based on this, to plan a diet. Some lizards prefer vegetable food, some - animal, others combine these two species. Feeding skink can take place both during the day and at night, some do not necessarily have to eat daily.
Skinks get used to the person easily, after getting used they become balanced, curious. They are constantly exploring their home, looking for food. To keep a few lizards in one terrarium is dangerous, they are fierce and can severely bite each other. The hands are fairly calm.
Skinks, like all lizards, are a dubious pleasure. Care for them must be very thorough. It is necessary to monitor the temperature and humidity, the light and UV radiation, the purity of the terrarium, for its size. Reptiles are prone to disease. The slightest stress (too close a cat's approach, for example) can lead to a prolonged illness and even a lethal outcome.