Fire Skink
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Lizard |
| Size | Medium (12-15 in) |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Temperature | 75-90°F (gradient) |
| Humidity | 60-70% |
| Enclosure | 40+ gal with substrate |
| Care Level | Intermediate |
| Diet | Insects, occasional fruit |
| Temperament | Shy, Burrowing |
Recommended for Fire Skinks
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Fire Skink Habitat Essentials
Steady environmental monitoring and proactive husbandry are the backbone of healthy Fire Skink care — the daily work prevents most of the interventions you'd otherwise need.
Red sides, and a life under the dirt
Fire skinks, Lepidothyris fernandi, are the West African lizards with red and gold flanks. Adults are about 12 to 15 inches including the tail. They can live 15 to 20 years, care is intermediate, and they burrow and stay shy. If you need a lizard on a rock at noon, buy something else. If you can enjoy a tunnel and an occasional nose, this species fits.
A 40-gallon tank or larger, with deep substrate, a warm side in the mid to upper 80s, a cooler side in the 70s, and humidity around 60 to 70 percent, matches how they live. UVB is a good idea even for a burrower that sometimes surfaces. Insects are the diet, with a little fruit for animals that will take it. Dust calcium. A water dish they can drink from, not a pool, is enough. Secure the lid. They are stronger than they look.
Dig them up rarely
Constant excavation stresses them and collapses the burrows they just built. Check weight every so often by offering food at the entrance rather than by a daily grab. Captive-bred skinks exist and settle better than imports. House them alone unless you have a large tub and experience. Two animals in a small tank is a fight you will not see until a tail is chewed.
A skink that stays on the surface and refuses insects is the sick one. Use the not-eating guide and a vet from ARAV.
Fire skink questions
Why don't I see my fire skink?
They burrow. A visible fire skink all day may be a skink with nowhere to dig. Judge health by weight, sheds, and fresh droppings, not by a daily photo.
What substrate do they need?
Several inches of a soil mix that is damp in the lower layer and drier on top. Hold 60 to 70 percent humidity. Swamp mud is too wet. Desert sand is too dry.
Do they bite?
They can. They are shy, not aggressive. Most bites happen when a hand digs them up. Scoop substrate from below instead of grabbing.
Decision Guides for Fire Skink
Use these only when comparing food, insurance, ownership budget, or beginner fit for this specific pet.