Stokes's skink — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Stokes's skink — origin: Australia (arid and semi-arid regions of the centre, south and west; rocky outcrops and crevices)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side24–28 °C

Warm side30–33 °C

Basking spot35–45 °C

A heliophilic species of arid environments requiring a real localized hot spot (spotlight). A marked thermal gradient is essential. A natural nighttime drop is welcome; do not stay durably below ~15 °C.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 45 cm

Desert/rocky-type terrestrial terrarium, well ventilated and secured, fitted with numerous crevices and stacks of stones.

Minimum dimensions for a pair; significantly increase the floor area and multiply the hides for a family group. Favour a horizontal terrarium (floor area > height).

Humidity

30–50 %

A dry atmosphere. Nevertheless provide a humid hide (sphagnum/damp substrate) to facilitate shedding. Avoid high, prolonged ambient humidity.

Substrate

Soil/sand mix (peat-free topsoil)Slightly compactable loamy sandStacked and stabilized stone slabs / slate

Create numerous crevices and STABLE stacks of stones (wedged/fixed so they cannot collapse onto the animal) reproducing rocky fissures. Add ground-level hides and a humid hide. Avoid bare fine sand (risk of intestinal impaction).

UVB

Recommended

Essential. A heliophilic species of arid environments: provide a powerful UVB tube (Ferguson zone 3, UVI 4 to 6 under the hot spot). Replace the UVB source every 6 to 12 months depending on the model.

Water source

Always available

A small bowl of clean water available at all times and renewed regularly. Avoid durably wetting the whole substrate.

Origin

Scincidae

Australia (arid and semi-arid regions of the centre, south and west; rocky outcrops and crevices).

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Insects (roaches, beetles, crickets) and fibrous plant matter (dandelion, endive, edible leaves and flowers); occasional fruit.

Alternate animal protein and plant matter; the plant share increasing with age (roughly half-and-half in adulthood). Dust the prey with calcium (with or without D3 depending on the UVB) and vitamins. Limit fatty insects to prevent obesity.

Breeding

Viviparous

Reproduction is often biennial (once every two years). Gestation of several months. Marked parental care: the parents tolerate and protect the juveniles within the family group. Delicate to breed, reserved for experienced keepers.

Health watch points

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from a UVB and/or calcium deficiency
Obesity linked to an excess of fatty insects and lack of activity
Retained shed (dysecdysis) in the absence of a suitable humid area
Intestinal parasites, especially in wild-caught individuals
Injuries, bites and stress due to intraspecific aggression (poorly managed cohabitation)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Stokes's skink.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the stokes's skink.

Should Stokes's skink be kept alone or in a group?▾

It is a highly social species that naturally lives in stable family groups and recognizes its conspecifics, so it is kept as a pair or a cohesive family group. However, two adult males should never be housed together, as the species can be openly aggressive towards unfamiliar individuals.

How large does an adult Stokes's skink grow?▾

It measures 18-28 cm including the tail, with a stocky, flattened body and a short, spiny tail. Some individuals reach around 30 cm.

What terrarium and décor suit it?▾

Allow at least 120 x 60 x 45 cm for a pair, significantly increasing the floor area for a family group. The terrarium, of a desert/rocky and rather horizontal type, should include numerous crevices and stacks of stones that are perfectly stable, wedged so they can never collapse onto the animal.

What hot spot and temperature gradient should be provided?▾

A clear hot spot of 35-45 °C under a spotlight, a warm side at 30-33 °C and a cool side at 24-28 °C, with a possible nighttime drop to 18 °C without staying durably below around 15 °C. It is a heliophilic species of arid environments that needs a marked thermal gradient.

Is UVB lighting really essential?▾

Yes, absolutely: this heliophilic species of arid environments needs a powerful UVB tube, Ferguson zone 3 with a UVI of 4-6 under the hot spot, to be replaced every 6-12 months depending on the model.

What humidity level is needed, and how can shedding be facilitated?▾

The atmosphere should stay dry, between 30 and 50%, but a humid hide (sphagnum or dampened substrate) is essential to facilitate a complete shed. Avoid, on the other hand, any high, prolonged ambient humidity.

What does Stokes's skink eat?▾

It is an omnivore that alternates insects (roaches, beetles, crickets) with fibrous plant matter (dandelion, endive, edible leaves and flowers), with the occasional fruit. The plant share increases with age, reaching roughly half-and-half in adults; dust the prey with calcium and vitamins, and limit fatty insects to prevent obesity.

Should water be left available at all times?▾

Yes, a small bowl of clean water must remain continuously available and be renewed regularly, while avoiding durably wetting the whole substrate.

How does Stokes's skink reproduce?▾

It is live-bearing, giving birth to 2-8 young per litter, generally every other year, after a gestation of several months. Parental care is marked: the parents tolerate and protect the juveniles within the family group, which makes breeding delicate and best reserved for experienced keepers.

What are the main health issues to watch for?▾

The most common are metabolic bone disease from a UVB or calcium deficiency, obesity linked to an excess of fatty insects, retained shedding in the absence of a humid area, intestinal parasites (especially in wild-caught individuals), and injuries and stress caused by intraspecific aggression when cohabitation is poorly managed.

What is its lifespan, and is it suitable for a beginner?▾

It is a long-lived, slow-growing species, living 15-25 years, sometimes more under good captive management. Of intermediate difficulty, it requires a long-term commitment and careful management of the family group, rather than just a basic rocky setup.

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