Caring for a Five-Lined Skink: A Comprehensive Guide

The five-lined skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) is a captivating reptile native to eastern North America, known for its vibrant blue tail in juveniles and their sleek, brown or gray bodies with distinct stripes. These lizards can make rewarding pets for experienced reptile keepers, but they require specific care to thrive. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about taking care of a five-lined skink, from setting up their enclosure to feeding and health considerations.

Understanding the Five-Lined Skink

Before bringing a five-lined skink home, it’s crucial to understand their natural behavior and requirements. These are active, diurnal (day-active) lizards that are primarily terrestrial but also adept climbers. They are not typically social and are best housed individually or, in very large enclosures, with a carefully chosen, compatible female skink. Avoid housing multiple males together, as this can lead to territorial aggression and injury.

Key Characteristics:

• Size: Adults typically reach 5-8 inches in total length, with the tail making up about half of that.
• Lifespan: With proper care, five-lined skinks can live for 6-10 years in captivity.
• Temperament: They are generally shy and can be skittish, especially when young. Handling should be minimized and done with gentle care.
• Diet: Primarily insectivorous, feeding on a variety of insects and occasionally small invertebrates.
• Habitat: Native to woodlands, forests, and rocky areas, they prefer environments with plenty of hiding places and opportunities for basking.

Setting Up the Perfect Enclosure

Creating the right habitat is paramount for the health and well-being of your five-lined skink. Here’s a detailed guide to setting up a suitable enclosure:

Enclosure Size and Type:

• Minimum Size: A 20-gallon long tank is the absolute minimum for a single adult five-lined skink. However, a 30-gallon or larger tank is highly recommended to provide ample space for movement and thermal gradients.
• Material: Glass aquariums are popular and effective, allowing for good visibility. You can also use plastic reptile enclosures, making sure they are secure and well-ventilated.
• Secure Lid: Skinks are excellent climbers and escape artists. A tightly fitting, secure screen lid is essential to prevent escape.

Substrate:

The substrate you choose plays a crucial role in maintaining humidity and providing a natural environment. Here are suitable options:

• Topsoil and Sand Mix: A mix of 60% organic topsoil (without fertilizers or pesticides) and 40% play sand is an excellent naturalistic substrate.
• Coconut Fiber (Coco Coir): This retains moisture well and is easy to clean.
• Cypress Mulch: Another suitable option for holding humidity, ensure it is reptile-safe and not treated.
• Avoid: Cedar and pine shavings, as they are toxic to reptiles. Gravel, small pebbles, and calci-sand should also be avoided due to the risk of ingestion and impaction.

A substrate depth of at least 2-3 inches is recommended to allow for burrowing and natural behaviors.

Hides and Décor:

Providing plenty of hiding spots is crucial for your skink’s sense of security. Here’s what to include:

• Multiple Hides: Provide at least two hides – one on the warm side of the enclosure and one on the cooler side. Cork bark, reptile caves, and half logs make excellent hides.
• Climbing Structures: Include branches, rocks (secured to prevent tipping), and sturdy driftwood for climbing opportunities.
• Plants: Non-toxic live or artificial plants can add to the enclosure’s aesthetics and provide additional cover. Ensure that live plants are safe for reptiles and do not use soil that contains fertilizers.
• Water Dish: A shallow dish of fresh water should be available at all times. Ensure it’s easy for your skink to get in and out of.
• Humidity Retention: Include damp moss in some areas of the enclosure to create micro-climates that aid in shedding.

Temperature and Lighting:

Maintaining the correct temperature and providing appropriate lighting are essential for thermoregulation and overall health:

• Basking Spot: Provide a basking area with a temperature of 90-95°F (32-35°C). This can be achieved with an incandescent or ceramic heat emitter. Place a flat rock or piece of wood under the heat source for the skink to bask on.
• Cool Side: The cooler side of the enclosure should be around 70-75°F (21-24°C).
• Nighttime Temperatures: Nighttime temperatures can drop to 65-70°F (18-21°C). If your home gets colder than this, use a ceramic heat emitter to maintain a safe temperature.
• UVB Lighting: Five-lined skinks require a UVB light source to synthesize vitamin D3, which is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health. Use a reptile-specific UVB bulb (5.0 or 10.0) and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and replacement.
• Light Cycle: Maintain a 12-14 hour light cycle during the day and complete darkness at night to mimic natural conditions.
• Temperature Monitoring: Use digital thermometers and hygrometers to accurately monitor temperatures and humidity levels in different parts of the enclosure.

Humidity:

• Ideal Range: Five-lined skinks prefer moderate humidity levels, generally around 50-60%.
• Maintaining Humidity: Misting the enclosure lightly 1-2 times a day can help maintain humidity. A shallow water dish will also help. The use of a substrate that retains moisture is very important.
• Monitoring Humidity: Use a hygrometer to accurately monitor humidity levels. Avoid allowing humidity levels to consistently remain too high as this can cause health problems.

Feeding Your Five-Lined Skink

A balanced diet is crucial for your skink’s health and well-being. Five-lined skinks are primarily insectivores, and a variety of insects should be offered.

Insect Options:

• Crickets: A staple food source. Gut-load crickets by feeding them nutritious foods 24 hours before offering them to your skink.
• Mealworms: Offer as part of a varied diet. Ensure mealworms are appropriately sized and not too large for the skink to consume.
• Dubia Roaches: An excellent source of protein and other nutrients.
• Waxworms: Can be offered as an occasional treat. High fat content means they should not be a staple food item.
• Superworms: Can be offered but need to be properly sized for the skink and offered less frequently than other options. They are high in chitin which can be difficult for young or sick skinks to digest.
• Other Invertebrates: Occasionally you can offer other insects or invertebrates like black soldier fly larvae, small silkworms, grasshoppers (wild caught insects may carry parasites and are not recommended)

Feeding Frequency:

• Juveniles: Young skinks should be fed daily, offering 4-5 appropriately sized insects.
• Adults: Adults can be fed every other day, offering 5-7 appropriately sized insects at each feeding.

Gut-Loading and Dusting:

• Gut-Loading: Always gut-load insects before feeding them to your skink. This involves feeding them a nutritious diet of fruits, vegetables, and commercial gut-loading products for 24-48 hours. This helps ensure the skink receives proper nutrients.
• Dusting: Dust insects with a calcium supplement powder with Vitamin D3 2-3 times a week and a multivitamin supplement once a week. This is essential for preventing metabolic bone disease, which is a serious condition caused by calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies. Follow the supplement manufacturer’s directions for application.

Water:

Fresh, clean water should be available at all times. Change the water daily and ensure the dish is shallow enough to prevent drowning. You can use a shallow water bowl or a dish that does not have high sides.

Handling and Interaction

Five-lined skinks are not ideal handling pets. They are easily stressed, and excessive handling can cause them to drop their tails as a defense mechanism. This autotomy can be stressful for the skink, uses a lot of energy, and is not good for the pet. It is important to avoid stressing the skink as much as possible.

Minimizing Handling:

• Observe More, Handle Less: It’s best to observe your skink rather than trying to handle it frequently.
• Gentle Handling: If handling is necessary (for health checks or tank cleaning), do so very gently. Scoop the skink up from underneath rather than grabbing it from above. Avoid squeezing it.
• Short Handling Sessions: Keep handling sessions short and infrequent.
• Never Grasp the Tail: Never grab a skink by its tail as it can detach very easily.

Health and Common Issues

While generally hardy, five-lined skinks are prone to certain health issues. Early detection and proper care can help prevent many of these problems.

Common Health Problems:

• Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): Caused by calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies. Symptoms include lethargy, tremors, and bone deformities. Prevention involves proper UVB lighting and calcium/D3 supplementation.
• Respiratory Infections: Can be caused by improper temperature and humidity levels. Symptoms include wheezing, sneezing, and lethargy. Proper habitat maintenance is essential to prevention. If an infection is suspected, consult a qualified exotic animal vet as soon as possible.
• Shedding Issues: Skinks shed their skin regularly. Incomplete or difficult shedding can be caused by low humidity or dehydration. Providing a humid hide and proper humidity levels can help avoid this issue. Sometimes, gentle assistance may be required to remove stuck shed.
• Parasites: Internal and external parasites are not uncommon. Symptoms may include weight loss, lethargy, and diarrhea. A fecal examination by a veterinarian is recommended if you suspect a parasite problem.
• Injuries: Skinks can sometimes get injured from falls or from trying to escape the enclosure. Check the pet regularly for injuries, and correct any conditions in the enclosure that might cause injuries.
• Impaction: Impaction is a blockage in the digestive system due to eating indigestible items. It can occur if the substrate is not appropriate or if insects have too much chitin (as in the case of very large superworms). Symptoms include constipation, lethargy, and loss of appetite.
• Tail Loss: While not a disease, tail loss is a stress response and should be avoided as much as possible. Avoid handling and creating stressful situations for your skink.

Regular Health Checks:

• Observation: Regularly observe your skink for any signs of illness or injury. Look for lethargy, weight loss, unusual behavior, or any physical abnormalities.
• Veterinarian Visits: Establish a relationship with a qualified exotic animal veterinarian who is experienced with reptiles. Annual check-ups are recommended, and seek veterinary advice promptly if you suspect any health issues.

Maintaining a Clean Environment

A clean environment is essential for preventing the buildup of harmful bacteria and maintaining the health of your skink.

Cleaning Schedule:

• Daily: Remove any uneaten food, clean the water dish, and spot-clean any soiled substrate.
• Weekly: Perform a partial substrate change, removing the top layer of substrate. Thoroughly clean the water and food dishes.
• Monthly: Perform a complete substrate change and disinfect the entire enclosure. Use a reptile-safe disinfectant and rinse thoroughly before adding new substrate and returning your skink.

Conclusion

Caring for a five-lined skink requires dedication, research, and attention to detail. By providing a proper enclosure, a balanced diet, and a clean environment, you can create a thriving habitat for your skink and enjoy its fascinating behavior. Remember, observation is crucial, and always seek veterinary help if you notice any signs of illness. With the right care, your five-lined skink can be a fascinating and rewarding pet for many years to come.