By As a fascinating species of reptiles, the Common Garden Skink (Lampropholis guichenoti) is an excellent choice for reptile enthusiasts at all levels of experience. This small, easy-to-care-for lizard offers a unique opportunity to observe and learn about the natural behavior and habitats of skinks. This comprehensive care sheet and species profile will guide you through everything you need to know about the Common Garden Skink, from its origin to its diet, housing, and health concerns. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Background Information
Common Garden Skinks are small lizards belonging to the family Scincidae. They are native to eastern Australia and are widely distributed throughout the region, often found in suburban gardens, parks, and woodland areas. These agile creatures play an essential role in the ecosystem as both predators and prey, feeding on a variety of insects and providing a food source for larger predators.
Natural Habitat
In the wild, Common Garden Skinks inhabit a diverse range of environments, from urban gardens and parks to forests and grasslands. They are primarily terrestrial, spending most of their time on the ground, hiding among leaf litter, rocks, and logs. They are also known to climb trees and shrubs occasionally. The ability to adapt to various environments makes them a resilient species and contributes to their widespread distribution.
Appearance and Size
The Common Garden Skink is a small, slender lizard with a shiny, smooth appearance. Their coloration ranges from shades of brown to olive green, usually with dark, irregular markings along their back and a lighter-colored belly. These markings provide excellent camouflage, helping them blend in with their natural surroundings.
Adult Common Garden Skinks typically measure between 2.5 to 4 inches (6.5 to 10 cm) in total length, including their tail. Their small size and unassuming appearance make them easily overlooked in their natural habitat, but their agility and quick movements can capture the attention of observant reptile enthusiasts.
Lifespan
With proper care, a Common Garden Skink can live for up to 5 to 7 years in captivity. Factors that contribute to their lifespan include a healthy diet, appropriate housing conditions, and regular veterinary check-ups to address any health concerns that may arise. By providing optimal care and maintaining a clean environment, you can help ensure a long, healthy life for your skink.
Behavior and Temperament
Common Garden Skinks are generally shy, secretive creatures that prefer to stay well-hidden from potential predators. They are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the day, and will often bask in the sun to regulate their body temperature. When threatened, they are quick to escape, darting into nearby cover or crevices to evade capture.
Though they may be timid initially, with regular handling and gentle interactions, Common Garden Skinks can become more comfortable and trusting of their human caretakers. Building trust and forming a bond with your skink will take time and patience, but the results can be rewarding for both you and your reptilian companion.
Housing and Enclosure
Size and Type of Enclosure
As small, terrestrial reptiles, Common Garden Skinks do not require a particularly large enclosure. A glass terrarium measuring at least 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 12 inches high (60 x 30 x 30 cm) is suitable for one adult skink. However, providing a larger space will allow for more opportunities to create a stimulating and enriching environment.
Glass terrariums are the preferred choice for housing Common Garden Skinks, as they offer excellent visibility and maintain consistent temperature and humidity levels. Ensure that the enclosure has a secure, well-ventilated lid to prevent escape and provide adequate airflow.
Temperature Gradient
It is essential to establish a temperature gradient within the enclosure, allowing your skink to thermoregulate by moving between warmer and cooler areas as needed. The warm end of the enclosure should maintain a temperature between 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit (28 and 31 degrees Celsius), while the cooler end should remain between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (21 and 24 degrees Celsius).
To achieve the correct temperature gradient, use a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter, placed at one end of the enclosure. Ensure that any heating elements are placed outside the enclosure, or use a guard to prevent direct contact with your skink, which could result in burns.
Monitor the temperature within the enclosure using digital thermometers placed at both ends. Adjust the wattage of the heat source as necessary to maintain the appropriate temperature gradient.
Humidity Levels
Common Garden Skinks thrive in moderate humidity levels, with an ideal range between 40 and 60%. To maintain this humidity, mist the enclosure with dechlorinated water daily, and provide a shallow water dish for your skink to drink from and soak in if desired. A hygrometer placed within the enclosure will help you monitor humidity levels and make adjustments as needed.
Substrate
Choosing the right substrate is crucial to maintaining a clean and comfortable environment for your skink. Suitable substrates for Common Garden Skinks include coconut coir, cypress mulch, or a mixture of peat moss and organic topsoil. These materials help maintain appropriate humidity levels and provide a soft, natural surface for your skink to explore and burrow in.
Avoid using substrates such as sand, gravel, or wood shavings, as these can cause impaction if ingested or irritation to your skink’s skin and respiratory system.
Decor and Accessories
To create a stimulating and naturalistic environment for your Common Garden Skink, incorporate a variety of decor and accessories within the enclosure. Provide multiple hiding places, such as cork bark, reptile caves, or small logs, to give your skink a sense of security and places to retreat when feeling threatened.
Include climbing opportunities, such as branches, rocks, or artificial ledges, to encourage exercise and exploration. Live or artificial plants can also be added to enhance the enclosure’s aesthetics and provide additional cover for your skink.
Diet and Feeding
Types of Food
Common Garden Skinks are primarily insectivorous, meaning their diet consists mainly of insects. In captivity, they should be fed a variety of live feeder insects, such as crickets, mealworms, small cockroaches, and the occasional waxworm or butterworm as a treat. It is crucial to gut-load feeder insects with a nutritious diet 24 hours before feeding them to your skink, ensuring they pass on essential nutrients.
In addition to insects, Common Garden Skinks can also benefit from the occasional offering of finely chopped fruit or vegetables, such as leafy greens, berries, or squash. This can provide additional vitamins and minerals to support their overall health.
Feeding Schedule
The feeding schedule for your Common Garden Skink will depend on its age and size. Juvenile skinks should be fed daily, while adult skinks can be fed every other day or three times per week. Adjust the amount and frequency of food offered based on your skink’s individual needs and appetite.
It is essential to remove any uneaten food from the enclosure shortly after feeding to prevent spoilage and maintain a clean environment.
Handling and Bonding
While Common Garden Skinks may be initially timid, they can become accustomed to regular handling with time and patience. It is essential to allow your skink at least 10 to 14 days to acclimate to its new environment before attempting to handle it. After this period, begin with short, gentle handling sessions, gradually increasing the duration as your skink becomes more comfortable and trusting.
When handling your skink, approach from the side to avoid startling it and gently scoop it up, supporting its entire body in your hand. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises, and always be mindful of your skink’s body language, giving it space when it appears stressed or uncomfortable.
With consistent, gentle handling and positive interactions, your Common Garden Skink can form a strong bond with you, leading to a rewarding and enjoyable experience for both of you.
Health Concerns
Common Health Issues
Like all reptiles, Common Garden Skinks can be susceptible to various health issues, some of which include:
- Parasites: Internal and external parasites can affect skinks, leading to weight loss, lethargy, and other health problems. Regular fecal examinations by a veterinarian can help identify and treat parasites early.
- Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): A lack of proper calcium and UVB lighting in the enclosure can lead to MBD, causing weak bones, deformities, and other health issues. Provide appropriate UVB lighting and a calcium supplement to prevent MBD.
- Respiratory Infections: Caused by poor enclosure conditions, such as incorrect temperature or humidity levels, respiratory infections can lead to difficulty breathing, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Consult a veterinarian for treatment and ensure the enclosure conditions are corrected.
Preventative Measures
Regular veterinary check-ups, maintaining a clean and appropriate enclosure, and providing a balanced diet are all essential steps in preventing health issues in your Common Garden Skink. By being proactive in your skink’s care and monitoring its behavior and appearance for any signs of illness, you can help ensure a long, healthy life for your reptile companion.
Breeding
Breeding Common Garden Skinks in captivity can be a rewarding experience for advanced reptile keepers. However, it requires careful planning, monitoring, and attention to the specific needs of breeding skinks. Ensure you have adequate knowledge, resources, and space to house offspring before attempting to breed your skinks.
Breeding typically occurs during the spring and summer months, with females laying 2 to 8 eggs approximately 4 to 6 weeks after mating. Eggs should be incubated in a separate container at a temperature of 82 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit (28 to 30 degrees Celsius), with a humidity level of 70 to 80%. The incubation period usually lasts 45 to 60 days, after which the hatchlings will emerge.
It is essential to provide separate enclosures for each hatchling, as well as appropriate care, including proper diet, temperature, and humidity levels, to ensure their health and wellbeing.
In conclusion, the Common Garden Skink is an interesting and rewarding reptile to keep as a pet. With proper care and attention to their needs, these small, agile lizards can provide years of enjoyment and fascination for reptile enthusiasts of all experience levels. By following the guidelines outlined in this comprehensive care sheet, you can create a thriving and enriching environment for your Common Garden Skink and enjoy the unique opportunity to observe and learn about this captivating species.