Skinks!!!

[Floof]

It has been way too long! Though I suppose most here don't know/remember me, lol. I've been able to lurk and comment here and there from my phone, but boy does it suck not having a computer! Since I finally have (temporary) access to a real computer, I figured it was time to share pics of some of my less furry four-legged companions.

I've long had a crush on skinks. Fat little lizards on stubby little legs (not unlike my "other" dog), their cuteness is unbearable. It wasn't until June 2012 that I got my first, though... And even that took my roommate deciding to buy one for my birthday!

I started with a single Schneider's in June of 2012. Now I have 2 Schneider's skinks, 14 Fire skinks, and 3 Golden skinks. To say I'm smitten may be putting it a little lightly.

First, that original Schneiders (Eumeces schneideri). Hoping s/he turns out to be a male so I can try breeding them down the road!

The other is a proven female. I received her as part of a 1.1 pair... Unfortunately, the male escaped never to be found.

Aah, the Fire Skinks (Riopa fernandi)! The adults are by far the hardest of all to get pictures of... They are a 1.1 pair. Only problem is, I don't really know which one is which... Have never been fortunate enough to witness them copulating or laying eggs. But hey, as long as they're both happy, healthy, and fat.
#1

#2. By far the most skittish of my skinks. Sometimes, if I sit still long enough, I get to witness him/her eating. But the moment I move (especially if there is a phone or camera in my hands), s/he VANISHES. Likewise, this photo from when I first got them is the only one I have of #2.

The other 12 Fire skinks are hatchlings... Apparently the adults like their planted viv very much, because they rewarded me with 3 clutches this summer! The first clutch didn't make it, but the other two had 100% hatch rates. The difference? I didn't even TOUCH the later clutches. Apparently, the warm end of the adults' tank is a much better incubator than whatever I can concoct! Just a couple pics of these guys...

And last but certainly not least, the Golden skinks (Eutropis multifasciata).

The first one, a sub-adult, came to me as part of a group of rescue lizards back in August. She was being cohabbed with 3 Alligator lizards and a Fence lizard. Oh yeah, sure, the high humidity WC Malaysian skink will do FINE with the lizards you found in your backyard! I hate people sometimes. Anyway, she's doing much better these days. Especially now that she's not being bullied by a gang of Alligator lizards...

The other two were a surprise find at the OC Repticon today. Decided to go down and window shop for giggles. Needed dry goods, anyway; didn't expect to find any "can't live withouts." Certainly never expected to stumble across a Golden Skink. Much less two... Even less so a 1.1 pair... And certainly not gravid. That's crazy talk. And yet...

The female. She's so FAT, I love it!!! IIRC, these guys are live-bearers, which will be a nice change from my egg laying Fires and Schneiders.

And the male--oooh, that orange is just irresistible.

As you might have noticed, one thing I LOVE about the skinks is the opportunity to captive breed species that are otherwise only available WC. To already have had success with 1 species, with good prospects for the other two.. I'm a very happy herp addict right now!

Anyway, sleep is calling. If I have time tomorrow evening, I'll hop on and post pics of the skinks' enclosures...

Hope you enjoyed!

 

[diamondlil]

The cuteness! what a lovely collection of skinks, thanks for sharing them!

 

[Nythain]

The only thing you're missing now is a crocodile. My personal favorite skinks, they look like real life pokemon. Great collection though. I have skink envy, lol.

 

[TheFrogman]

I have never had one or wanted one but I admit that they have adorable faces, so cute

 

[Alicia P]

Oh my gosh, that handful of skink babies is so adorable!! I love them all. We have a blue tongue. Skinks remind me of dachshunds, low and long lol.

 

[Wyldrose]

Cute little ones! Good luck with your new ones, the live birth ones would be very interesting to watch!

 

[Nanci]

So cute! If I ever get another lizard, it will be a blue-tongue.

I was a mighty skink hunter when I was a kid. There weren't a lot of reptiles where I grew up, but skinks were plentiful!

 

[TheFrogman]

Those babies are soooo cute

 

[Floof]

Thanks everyone!

Alicia, that's my favorite pic of the little monsters! My handful o' skanks. <3 Those are the 2 month olds, too--they are itty bitty when they first hatch out! I actually remembered to weigh this last clutch when they hatched... The scale barely registered the runt at 1 gram, and the rest clocked in at 2 grams. (Really need a scale that measures in .1 g!!!)

Blue Tongues are high on my wishlist--maybe someday! But for now I'm a little too focused on the little guys, haha!

Now, about those enclosure pics...

The first Schneider's... 33x16x16" Critter Condo. I was out of aspen when I set up the new viv, so he's on Cypress mulch (kept dry). Actually thinking I might stick with Cypress for the Schneiders' from here on out... Seems to work well.

The female Schneider's. Same size condo, only with aspen bedding. I gave her the humid hide (cool side) back when she first laid eggs, and wound up leaving it to help encourage complete sheds.

The adult Fire Skinks' enclosure! This is an older pic. They tear this thing apart on a regular basis. Since this pic was taken, the pothos on the left has died, and they've completely buried the warm hide (AGAIN). 40 gal Breeder, which I hope to replace with a 36x18x18" Exo Terra (or similar front opening something) before too long. (Death to aquariums!)

And of course, the babies!
First pic is the older clutch's enclosure, back when I set it up in September. What you don't see is the converted lid, fluorescent UVB mounted on the inside and a screened portion to allow a heat lamp. 66 quart tub.

The younger babies landed in a 10 gallon tank. I kind of didn't expect them to hatch until mid/late November (at the earliest)... So I wasn't exactly prepared when they magically appeared on Halloween. Heh. Best laid plans and all that jazz...

The sub-adult Golden Skink currently resides in a planted 18" cube Exo terra.

And the new adult pair moved into this 30x14x16" glass viv I conveniently had on hand. They're on paper towel for poop monitoring/QT purposes, but it will be converted into a planted viv down the road. The female has already happily staked her claim on the humid hide...