Here’s a basic feeding schedule for your pet Peters banded skink:
- Juveniles — Insects daily, plants daily
- Adults — Insects every 2-3 days, plants daily
What do Peter’s banded skinks eat?
Although Peter’s Banded Skinks are omnivores, they do not typically eat fruits and vegetables. The bulk of your skink’s diet will be comprised of proteins such as roaches, worms, crickets, or even chicken, fish, and eggs.
Are banded sand skinks friendly?
Peter's Banded Sand Skinks can be quite friendly and are a good first lizard choice. They tolerate quite a lot of handling. Start slow with your new pet and gradually increase the amount of time you hold it. It won't be long before your skink gets used to being held.
What size tank does a Peter’s banded skink need?
As discussed, the tank you select for your Peter’s Banded Skink needs to be at least 20 gallons large, or 18” x 18” x 12” in dimension. They aren’t really climbers and spend most of their time on the ground in the wild, so you should take care to ensure that your skink has plenty of floor space; height is less important.
Can Peter's banded skinks get injured by accident?
However, accidental injury can occur when one mistakes another's tail ot leg as a prey item. Peter's banded skinks enjoy burying themselves under fine, loose substrate, such as sifted play sand or coconut coir. Substrates comprisong larger pieces, like cypress mulch are best avoided to prevent accidental ingestion and intestinal obstruction.
Can Peters banded skinks eat fruit?
Exo Terra bowls or Flukers rock dish are nice naturalistic non-porous water bowls. Peter's Banded Sand Skinks are omnivores. As such, they have quite a varied diet. They will eat proteins, vegetables/greens and fruits.
How do you care for a Peters banded skink?
Peters banded skinks should have a warm hide temperature of 90-95°F, cool side temperature between 75-80°F, and nighttime temps no lower than 65°F. Heat sources should be turned off at night. Place a digital probe thermometer on the cool side of the enclosure to make sure it never gets too warm.
How often do Peters banded skinks eat?
Peter's Banded Skinks do not need to be fed every day, but you should make sure to give them food at least every 2-3 days. In addition to feedings, you should also make sure that your skink always has access to fresh water in his enclosure.
How big do Peter's banded skinks get?
about 5 to 7 inchesAnswer: Peter's banded skink (Scincopus fasciatus) is a newcomer to the trade that has arrived from northern Africa in just the past couple years. It averages about 5 to 7 inches in total length and inhabits the arid stretch of grasslands known as the Sahel, below the Sahara Desert.
What is the best pet skink?
The 7 Skinks That Make Great PetsBlue-Tongued Skinks.Blue-Tailed Skink.Fire Skink.Monkey-Tailed Skink.Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink.Schneider's Skink.Ocellated Skinks.
Does Petco sell skinks?
Skinks are available for purchase at your Petco Pet Care Center. Please call ahead to check availability.
What size tank does a fire skink need?
The Ideal Fire Skink Enclosure An adult skink can be kept in a 20-gallon long tank measuring 30 inches long by 12 inches deep and 12 inches tall, but nothing any smaller. Because fire skinks will make use of whatever space is provided, a 40- to 50-gallon tank would be much preferred.
How do you breed a Peters banded skink?
1:524:29Peters Banded Sand Skink "Eggs"! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I keep them in about 4 3 to 4 inches of natural sand not calcium sand not crushed walnuts. JustMoreSo I keep them in about 4 3 to 4 inches of natural sand not calcium sand not crushed walnuts. Just natural sand their temps are about 105 to 110 degrees.
Are Peters banded skinks communal?
The Peter's Banded Skink is a desert species of skink that has only been successfully bred in captivity twice. Any Peter's Banded Skink you find will be wild caught....About.Difficulty?SocialCommunalSize8-10.5 inches, males are bulkier with a broadened head.5 more rows
Are Peters banded skinks diurnal?
Peters banded skinks are nocturnal, which means that they are most active from dusk to dawn.
What size tank does a fire skink need?
The Ideal Fire Skink Enclosure An adult skink can be kept in a 20-gallon long tank measuring 30 inches long by 12 inches deep and 12 inches tall, but nothing any smaller. Because fire skinks will make use of whatever space is provided, a 40- to 50-gallon tank would be much preferred.
Are Peters banded skinks communal?
The Peter's Banded Skink is a desert species of skink that has only been successfully bred in captivity twice. Any Peter's Banded Skink you find will be wild caught....About.Difficulty?SocialCommunalSize8-10.5 inches, males are bulkier with a broadened head.5 more rows
Do Broad headed skinks need a heat lamp?
It's best practice to provide heat for your skink with two sources: a heat lamp and a heat mat. The heat lamp is for warming the air of the enclosure and providing short-wavelength infrared (heat) for the skink to use as desired.
How long do sand skinks live for?
They are typically 6-8” (15-20cm) long, with a 6-10 year average lifespan. Like many other lizards, sandfish skinks are insectivores, which means that they primarily eat insects such as beetles.
How big of a tank do you need for Peter's banded skink?
As discussed, the tank you select for your Peter’s Banded Skink needs to be at least 20 gallons large, or 18” x 18” x 12” in dimension. They aren’t really climbers and spend most of their time on the ground in the wild, so you should take care to ensure that your skink has plenty of floor space; height is less important. If you have two skinks, your tank should be about twice as long.
What temperature should a Peter's banded skink be?
During the day, the cooler side of your Peter’s Banded Skink’s enclosure should be about 85° F, while the basking area should be at least 95º-100° F. At night, the temperature of the enclosure should be maintained at around 75º-80° F.
Where do Peter's banded skinks come from?
Peter’s Banded Skinks are small lizards with origins in the grasslands of Northern Africa. They are relatively uncommon pets that have rarely been bred in captivity, which means there is a lot that is still unknown about these lizards. What we do know is that Peter’s Banded Skinks tend to be docile animals that usually tolerate being handled by their owners, making them a great option for beginners. Keep reading our guide to find out more about these reptiles.
Can Peter's banded skinks be wild caught?
If you are interested in breeding your Peter’s Banded Skinks, you would be a pion eer in this area; very few of these reptiles have been successfully bred in captivity, which is why they are typically wild-caught. More information is needed to understand what factors contribute to the successful breeding of these creatures.
Do Peter’s Banded Skinks Make Good Pets?
Peter’s Banded Skinks can make wonderful pets in the right home. These reptiles are relatively small and easy to keep in a medium-sized enclosure of about 20 gallons, making them versatile for many different types of households. They are also fairly friendly animals that tolerate a good amount of handling and will even sometimes beg their owners for treats. Overall, as long as you are willing to ensure that your skink has the living conditions it needs to have a good life, it can be a great choice for a pet.
What kind of light do you use for Peter's banded sand skinks?
We feel, Peter's Banded Sand Skinks may benefit from having UVB lighting. The best bulbs are the mercury vapors such as Exo Terra's Solar Glo bulbs, ZooMed's Powersun, or Solar bright bulbs. These provide heat and UVB all in one bulb. You can also use separate basking (heat) bulb and UVB bulbs.
How big of an enclosure do Peter's banded sand skinks need?
In the wild, Peter's Banded Sand Skinks spend their time on the ground or living under the sand. So floor space is more important than height in your enclosure. Young skinks up to about 6 months of age can be housed in a 20 gal long enclosureor Exo Terras 18" x 18" x 12". A couple adults can be housed in a minimum of a 36" long enclosure. Exo Terra's 36" x 18" x 12", Zilla's 30 breeder critter cageor Zoo meds low boy tank all work well.
How to keep skinks safe?
They like to dig so provide a loose substrate such as exo terra natural sand, 1"-2" is usually fine. You may see your skink sleeping behind a log with just his head buried in the sand and they seem to be fine with this. Give them plenty of hiding spots to choose from so they feel safe. This can be as simple as a flat rock or driftwood for them to go under. Several choices is especially important if you keep more than one skink. They like to bury themselves in the sand but some of them seem to prefer to be in the sand and under a "structure' of some kind, like a food dish or a log. More than likely to feel safe from predators.
What temperature should skinks be?
This way your skink can move back and forth between the different temperatures depending on its needs. A basking area of 115-125 degrees should be provided. The cool side of the enclosure can be around 84 degrees.
Can skinks go under sand?
This can be as simple as a flat rock or driftwood for them to go under. Several choices is especially important if you keep more than one skink. They like to bury themselves in the sand but some of them seem to prefer to be in the sand and under a "structure' of some kind, like a food dish or a log.
Do skinks need heat?
These skinks come from a harsh environment and as such are quite hardy creatures. However, like all reptiles, they are dependent on thermoregulation to control their body temperature. This essentially means you need to provide a hot side and a cool side to your enclosure. All the heat elements should be on one side and the other will be the cool side. This way your skink can move back and forth between the different temperatures depending on its needs.
How much humidity do Peters banded skinks need?
Peters banded skinks do best in an environment with average humidity below 50%, as measured by a digital probe hygrometer with the probe in the middle of the terrarium. However, they also need access to a humid hideout lined with moist substrate to give them a place to go when they need more moisture, such as when they’re shedding. The humid hide should always offer >70% humidity.
What color is a Peters banded skink?
Coloring is orange on top and cream on bottom, with broad black stripes across their back and tail.
How deep do Peters skinks need to be?
Peters banded skinks need a layer of substrate at least 4” deep so they can dig and burrow, which is a natural behavior for them. The best substrates for Peters banded skinks include:
Where do Peters banded skinks live?
The Peters banded skink (Scincopus fasciatus) is a 5-7” long, nocturnal, terrestrial lizard native to the Sahel region of Africa. They prefer habitat with sandy soil and arid conditions, and have been observed in scrub to dry grasslands.
How to heat skinks?
It’s best to provide heat for your skink with a combination of a heat mat and heat bulb. Heat bulbs (especially halogens) are better at imitating sunlight, and considered to be a superior form of reptile heating by experts. This is for heating the air of the enclosure. Do not use ceramic heat emitters (CHEs), red bulbs, or blue bulbs, as these are not as effective. The heat mat is for keeping the warm hide at the right temperature, and should be plugged into a thermostat with the probe placed inside the warm hide.
How long should skink lights be on?
Lights should be on for 13 hours/day during summer and 11 hours/day during winter. This should be done gradually to simulate seasonal changes in day length, and helps regulate your skink’s hormonal rhythm for better health.
What fruits can you eat in the jungle?
Fruits can be offered as well, such as berries, fig, apple, prickly pear, papaya, and mango.
What are Peter's banded skinks?
They tend to become quite tame and will often beg their owner's for treats. Peter's banded skinks, Scincopus fasciatus, are a monotypic species of the Genus Scincopus which are recognized by their squat bodies, robust limbs, short tails and orange/yellow and black dorsal banding patterns. This species has two described subspecies, S. f. fasciatus and S. f. melanocephalus. The former being described possessing distinct dark transverse blank bands with little to no black on the head while the latter is described as having an almost completely black head and far less distinct black banding. Most captive specimens can be presumed to be of the S. f. fasciatus subspecies based on morphologic appearance. These nocturnal lizards are native to the Sahelian and southern Saharan regions of northern Africa. These sandy regions are extremely arid with limited annual rainfall. Average high temperatures within these regions range from 24 to 42°C (81-108°F) with coolest temperatures dropping as low as 15°C (90°F). Similar environmental conditions should be provided in captivity. Little data is available concerning the natural diet of Scincopus fasciatus. They are believed to be primarily insectivorous, but may consume some plant material. A variety of commercially available insects should be offered along with small amounts of fruits, flowers, and vegetables. The diet should be supplemented with vitamins and minerals. This species UVB lighting requirements are also unknown. Providing this lighting should be strongly encouraged given recent studies have demonstrated benefit in another nocturnal lizard, the leopard gecko ( Eublepharis macularius ).
What infections are common in Peter's banded skinks?
Respiratory and skin infections are also common in nearly imported Peter's banded skinks as well.
What do Scincopus fasciatus eat?
They are believed to be primarily insectivorous, but may consume some plant material. A variety of commercially available insects should be offered along with small amounts of fruits, flowers, and vegetables.
Do blue tongue skinks have bigger heads?
Males tend to have larger, wider heads. But this isn't a hard fast rule. The most accurate way to sex this species is by using contrast radiography to identify hemipenes, similar to what has been found in Blue Tongue Skinks and Shingleback Skinks.
What do Peter's banded skinks eat?
Peter’s Banded Skinks can eat a variety of different foods when kept in captivity. Dubia Roaches , Discoid Roaches, Crickets, Locusts, Superworms, Mealworms, and sometimes cooked chicken. Offer food every other day, and make sure to dust with calcium and multivitamins to help prevent risks of bone disease. It is nice to allow them to hunt as it stimulates their mind.
How big do Peter's banded skinks get?
Size and Appearance. Peter’s Banded Skinks are medium-sized lizards. They normally grow to be between 8 to 10.5 inches in length with not much gender dimorphism as males are a bit bulkier than females.
How often should you remove poop from a sandbox?
You should also remove any uneaten food after within 24 hours of it being served. It is recommended to remove the substrate and replace it every 2 months.
Do Peter's banded skinks need water?
A water dish is a must for a Peter’s Banded Skink. While they are native to dry areas that seldom experience rain, and they get most of their hydration from their prey in the wild, a water dish is still needed. You most likely will not see them drinking from it often, but it is necessary. It is also important to provide a food dish. This will help prevent their food from escaping and them ingesting sand. You can try tong feeding as well.
What is a Peter's banded skink?
The Peter’s Banded Skink (Scincopus fasciatus) is a relatively new species to the reptile community. It has only been bred in captivity twice. It is often called a Giant Sandfish due to the similarity in appearance to the Sandfish (Scincus scincus). They are found in Northern Africa in the grassland areas of the Sahel.
How long does a Peter's banded skink live?
The Peter’s Banded Skink will reach an average of 7-8 inches long. Their lifespan is unknown due to them being so uncommon in the trade but it is believed to be around 10-15 years.
Why do skinks stop eating?
Due to Peter's Banded Skinks being wild caught, often handling will cause stress which can cause them to stop eating or become ill. It is best to only handle your skink when it is absolutely necessary. Peter’s Banded Skinks do well in community tanks and no aggression has ever been reported when housing multiple together.
Do Peter's banded skinks drink?
Although the Peter’s Banded Skink does not drink often, a shallow water bowl should be provided with fresh water at all times. Although they are desert animals, they prefer a humidity level of 40-60%. This can be provided by adding live plants into the enclosure, moss patches, and/or misting the tank once or twice a day.
Enclosure
Substrate
- Peter's banded skinks enjoy burying themselves under fine, loose substrate, such as sifted play sand or coconut coir. Substrates with larger pieces, like cypress mulch, are best avoided to prevent accidental ingestion and intestinal obstruction.
Cage Furnishings
- Cage furnishings need not be elaborate as they will spend a great deal of time hiding under the substrate. However, they appear to enjoy using hide boxes and exploring over rocks and ledges.
Heating
- Peter's banded skinks require an ambient temperature of 85°F during the day and 75-80°F overnight. During the day a basking area with a temperature of 95-100°F should be provided.
Lighting
- While UVB lighting requirements have not been determined yet for this species, until more is known it is a good idea to provide it. We recommend a 5.0 fluorescent UVB bulb with a 12-14 hour light cycle.
Diet
- Diet should consist of crickets, Zopobas worms, dubia roaches, and giant mealworms every 2-3 days. They also appear to relish Repashy Superfoods Grub Pie gel diet as well and this can be easily incorporated into the diet. Small amounts of fruits can also be offered. Prey items should be dusted twice weekly with Zoo Med ReptiCal without D3 and once weekly with Zoo Med Reptiv…
Sex Determination
- Information on how to accurately sex this species is often contradictory and confusing. Female specimens possess large cloacal glands that can protrude and be mistaken for hemipenes when "popping" specimens. Males tend to have larger, wider heads. But this isn't a hard fast rule. The most accurate way to sex this species is by using contrast radiography to identify hemipenes, si…
Common Problems
- Peter's banded skinks have yet to be bred in captivity, so all captive specimens are wild caught and because of this often carry a large number of internal parasites. Most commonly Coccidia (Eimeria sp) and hookworms. Flagellates such as Trichomnoas specieshave also been found. We recommend all new animals have a fecal parasite screening on a freshly passed fecal sample. R…