Red-eyed Crocodile Skink — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Red-eyed Crocodile Skink — origin: New Guinea (Indonesian Papua and Papua New Guinea) and surrounding islands; humid tropical rainforest habitat, leaf litter and riparian zones..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C

Cool side22–24 °C

Warm side26–28 °C

A species of cool, humid forest: NO intense hot spot. Never exceed ~30 °C, which is dangerous. A gentle, mild thermal gradient is enough; ambient heating is preferable, regulated by a thermostat.

Enclosure (adult)

60 × 45 × 45 cm

Horizontal bioactive terrarium of the paludarium type (large terrestrial leaf-litter area + permanent water zone).

Minimum dimensions for a single animal or a pair; provide larger for a pair, along with plenty of hiding spots. A burrowing, secretive species: multiplying the shelters (bark, moss, dead leaves, plants) is essential to its wellbeing. Only one male per enclosure.

Humidity

80–95 %

High, constant humidity is essential. Daily misting and a good moisture-retaining substrate; nonetheless ensure adequate ventilation to avoid stagnant air and mould.

Substrate

Coconut fibreSphagnum (moss)Dead-leaf litterFertilizer- and pesticide-free potting soilDrainage layer (clay balls)

Deep, moist substrate promoting a bioactive environment; a thick layer of dead leaves reproduces the natural habitat and serves as a hunting and refuge zone. Isopods and springtails (clean-up crew) are recommended.

UVB

Recommended

Low-intensity UVB recommended (T5 tube ~5% / 5.0 or equivalent), even though the species is crepuscular/nocturnal: it supports calcium metabolism and general wellbeing. Provide shaded areas and hides so it can retreat from it.

Water source

Always available

A permanent water area, clean and dechlorinated, deep enough for the animal to submerge itself: being semi-aquatic, it dives and swims to escape danger. Clean/renew the water frequently, as it often defecates in it.

Origin

Scincidae

New Guinea (Indonesian Papua and Papua New Guinea) and surrounding islands; humid tropical rainforest habitat, leaf litter and riparian zones.

Feeding & health

Diet

Insectivore — Crickets, roaches (dubia), worms (earthworms, mealworms in moderation), isopods, small invertebrates.

Live prey of suitable size. Regular calcium dusting (high requirements), with a vitamin/D3 supplement more occasionally. Feed preferably in the evening.

Breeding

Oviparous

Clutch 1–1 eggs/young. Laying of a single egg per cycle, roughly every 5 to 6 weeks: a low reproductive rate. Remarkably, the female (and sometimes the male) shows parental care and coils around the egg to protect it. Incubation ~65-75 days in a moist substrate.

Health watch points

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium / D3 deficiency
Dehydration and difficult sheds linked to too-low humidity
Internal and external parasites (common in wild-caught specimens)
Anorexia and weight loss of stress-related origin
Respiratory infections (air too cold, damp and stagnant)

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 0 documented gene for Red-eyed Crocodile Skink.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the red-eyed crocodile skink.

Is the red-eyed crocodile skink an animal to handle often?▾

No, quite the opposite: this is an extremely shy and cryptic species that lives hidden in the leaf litter, and handling causes it significant stress. It is better to think of it as an animal to observe in a beautiful vivarium rather than a companion to take out regularly.

What does this skink do when it feels threatened?▾

Under stress, it may freeze completely and play dead (thanatosis), emit small squeaks, or dive into the water area to escape the danger. These behaviours show just how exceptional handling should remain.

How big does an adult crocodile skink get?▾

It is a small, stocky-bodied species, measuring only 15 to 20 cm in total length including the tail, which makes it suited to a compact bioactive terrarium.

What terrarium and layout suit it?▾

A bioactive horizontal paludarium of at least 60 x 45 x 45 cm is recommended, with a large terrestrial leaf-litter area and a permanent water area. Hiding spots must be plentiful (bark, moss, dead leaves, plants), as this is a burrowing and cryptic species; keep only one male per enclosure, as males are territorial.

What temperature should be maintained, and does it need an intense hot spot?▾

Absolutely not: this cool, humid-forest species cannot tolerate intense hot spots and should never exceed roughly 28-29 °C, or it quickly suffers heat stress. A gentle gradient between 22-24 °C on the cool side and 26-28 °C on the warm side is enough, with thermostat-regulated ambient heating.

What humidity is required?▾

High, constant humidity between 80 and 95% is essential. This means daily mistings and a substrate that retains water well, while keeping enough ventilation to avoid stagnant air and mould.

Does it really need a body of water in the terrarium?▾

Yes, a permanent water area that is clean and dechlorinated, deep enough for it to submerge, is essential: this is a semi-aquatic species that dives and swims to escape danger. Since it often defecates there, the water must be cleaned and renewed frequently.

Is UVB lighting recommended despite its nocturnal habits?▾

Yes, low-intensity UVB (a T5 tube of around 5%) is advised even though the species is mainly crepuscular to nocturnal, as it supports calcium metabolism and general well-being. Shaded areas and hiding spots must, however, be provided so it can retreat from the light at will.

What does the red-eyed crocodile skink eat?▾

It is a strict insectivore: crickets, Blaptica dubia roaches, earthworms, isopods and small invertebrates, preferably offered in the evening. Calcium requirements are high, hence regular dusting, supplemented more occasionally with a vitamin D3 supplement.

How long does this species live and how does it reproduce?▾

Its lifespan is around 10 to 15 years in captivity with good care. It is an oviparous species with a very low reproductive rate: the female lays only a single egg every 5 to 6 weeks, and shows remarkable parental care by coiling around the egg to protect it during incubation.

What are the most common health problems in this species?▾

Metabolic bone disease from calcium or D3 deficiency tops the list, followed by dehydration and difficult sheds when humidity is insufficient. Wild-caught specimens also frequently carry internal and external parasites, and stress-related anorexia remains a real risk in such a timid species.

Is it a species suited to a beginner?▾

Its husbandry is rated intermediate: the environmental parameters (very high humidity, moderate and stable temperatures) demand rigour, and its shy temperament requires resisting the urge to handle it. It is best to choose a captive-bred specimen, as wild individuals are often parasitised or dehydrated on import.

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