By Broadhead Skinks are fascinating reptiles that can make great pets for those who are interested in keeping lizards. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about caring for your Broadhead Skink, from its diet and habitat to tank setup and more. It’s essential to provide your pet with the best possible care, so study this guide carefully and ensure you’re well-prepared to welcome your new scaly friend into your home.
Table of Contents
Species Overview
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Squamata
- Family: Scincidae
- Genus: Plestiodon
- Scientific Name: Plestiodon laticeps
Physical Description
- Size: Broadhead Skinks can grow between 6 and 13 inches in length, with males being larger than females.
- Weight: A healthy adult Broadhead Skink can weigh around 70 grams on average.
- Body: These lizards have a glossy body with very small scales covering their entire body. Males are more colorful, featuring a glossy brown to olive brown skin. Their heads turn bright reddish-orange during the mating season. Females have five faint stripes running down their back and tail.
- Feet: Broadhead Skinks have short legs with long digits, which help them grip branches while climbing.
Distribution
Broadhead Skinks are native to the southeastern United States, with their most common range being the Coastal Plain of Georgia and South Carolina. They can also be found in Piedmont and lower mountains, as well as coastal maritime forests and barrier islands.
Habitat
In the wild, Broadhead Skinks prefer living in leaf litters, decaying trees, moist soil, old sawdust piles, or rotten logs.
Lifespan
While the lifespan of Broadhead Skinks in the wild is unknown, they have been known to live up to 8 years in captivity.
Housing and Tank Setup
Tank Size
A proper tank size is crucial for the well-being of your Broadhead Skink. For a single adult, a 20-gallon long terrarium is the minimum recommended size. However, a 30 to 40-gallon tank is even better, as it provides more space for your skink to explore and climb.
Substrate
A natural substrate, such as coconut coir or cypress mulch, is ideal for Broadhead Skinks. These substrates help maintain humidity and provide a comfortable surface for your skink to burrow in. Avoid using sand or gravel, as they can cause impaction if ingested.
Temperature and Lighting
Broadhead Skinks require a temperature gradient in their enclosure to regulate their body temperature. The warm end of the tank should be maintained at 85 to 90°F (29 to 32°C), while the cool end should stay between 70 to 75°F (21 to 24°C). A basking spot with a temperature of 95 to 100°F (35 to 38°C) should also be provided.
UVB lighting is essential for the health of your Broadhead Skink, as it helps them synthesize vitamin D3, which aids in calcium absorption. A 10% to 12% UVB bulb should be used, and it should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
Humidity
Maintaining proper humidity levels is important for Broadhead Skinks, as it helps prevent shedding issues. The humidity in the enclosure should be kept between 40 to 60%. To achieve this, you can mist the enclosure daily or use a reptile fogger.
Hiding Spots and Enrichment
Broadhead Skinks are arboreal lizards, so it’s essential to provide them with plenty of climbing opportunities. Include branches, logs, and cork bark for your skink to climb on. Additionally, provide multiple hiding spots, such as reptile caves or hollow logs, to help your skink feel secure.
Diet and Feeding
Food Items
Broadhead Skinks are carnivorous and have a varied diet in the wild. In captivity, they can be fed a diet consisting of:
- Insects: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms, and roaches are excellent food choices. Make sure to gut-load insects before feeding them to your skink.
- Mollusks: Snails can be an occasional treat for your skink.
- Rodents: Pinky mice can be offered occasionally as a source of additional protein.
Feeding Schedule
Feed juvenile Broadhead Skinks daily, offering as many insects as they can eat in a 10 to 15-minute period. Adult skinks should be fed every other day. Always remove any uneaten food from the enclosure to prevent spoilage and maintain cleanliness.
Supplements
Dusting insects with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements is essential for your skink’s health. Juveniles should have their food dusted with calcium every feeding, while adults should receive calcium supplementation every other feeding. A multivitamin supplement should also be provided once a week for both juveniles and adults.
Reproduction and Breeding
If you’re interested in breeding Broadhead Skinks, it’s essential to ensure you have a compatible pair and provide them with the proper environment. During the breeding season, females release pheromones to attract males. Males are attracted to larger females with brightly colored orange heads.
Females lay 8 to 22 eggs in their nest in June or July, and they remain with their eggs until they hatch, only leaving to forage. Incubation takes between 3 to 8 weeks, and hatchlings emerge around September. Juveniles are sexually mature when they reach around 75 mm in length.
Handling and Temperament
Broadhead Skinks can be nervous and skittish, so handling should be kept to a minimum, especially when they are first introduced to their new environment. Over time, they may become more tolerant of handling. When handling your skink, be gentle and allow them to move freely through your fingers without gripping them tightly.
Health and Common Issues
A healthy Broadhead Skink is alert, active, and has clear eyes, nose, and mouth. Some common health issues to watch for include:
- Parasites: Internal and external parasites can cause health issues for your skink. If you suspect your skink has parasites, consult a reptile veterinarian for treatment.
- Metabolic Bone Disease: This condition is caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D3 in your skink’s diet. Ensure proper supplementation and UVB lighting to prevent this issue.
- Respiratory Infections: Poor husbandry, such as incorrect temperature or humidity levels, can lead to respiratory infections. If your skink is wheezing or has excess mucus around its nose or mouth, consult a veterinarian.
Conservation Status
The Broadhead Skink is listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN 3.1, indicating that their population is stable and not currently threatened.
Interesting Facts
- Young Broadhead Skinks with blue tails are sometimes nicknamed “scorpions” and are falsely believed to have a venomous sting. No lizards in the southeastern US are dangerous to humans.
- The Broadhead Skink, along with the Great Plains skink, is the largest member of the Plestiodon skink group and the second-largest of all skink species.
- The species name “laticeps” comes from the Latin words “latus,” meaning “broad,” and “ceps,” meaning “head.”
Conclusion
Caring for a Broadhead Skink can be a rewarding experience for reptile enthusiasts. By providing the proper diet, habitat, and tank setup, you can ensure your skink thrives in captivity. Remember to monitor your skink’s health and consult a veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness. With the right care and attention, you can enjoy the company of your Broadhead Skink for many years to come.