By The Ocellated Skink (Chalcides ocellatus) is a small, diurnal, terrestrial lizard native to the Mediterranean coast and coastal areas of the Arabian Peninsula. This captivating reptile is known for its distinctive appearance and bold personality, making it a popular choice among reptile enthusiasts. In this comprehensive species profile and care sheet, we will cover everything you need to know about the Ocellated Skink, including its natural habitat, physical characteristics, and how to properly care for one in captivity.
Table of Contents
Natural Habitat
Ocellated Skinks are found primarily in arid habitats, such as sandy, sometimes stony soil, scrubby vegetation, and regions with semi-arid conditions along the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and some coastal areas of the Arabian Peninsula. Their preferred environment consists of sparse vegetation, which allows them to easily burrow and hide from predators.
Physical Characteristics
These charming lizards have a distinctive appearance, featuring a small, triangular head, long cylindrical body, short limbs, and a tapered tail. They typically grow to a length of 7-9 inches and have smooth scales that cover their bodies. The Ocellated Skink’s base color is usually tan, with black ocelli markings containing white centers and a pale belly. Their black eyes give them a striking appearance, making them easily recognizable among other skink species.
Ocellated Skinks as Pets
Ocellated Skinks are considered beginner-level pets due to their hardiness and outgoing personalities. They are an excellent choice for those looking to add a reptile to their family, but it is important to note that they are not the best option for individuals seeking a pet that will tolerate regular handling. Ocellated Skinks are known to be fast and slippery, making them difficult to handle and potentially stressful for the animal.
Housing Requirements
Terrarium Size
A single Ocellated Skink should be housed in a terrarium no smaller than 20 gallons (30″ x 12″ x 12″). Providing a larger enclosure is always beneficial, as it allows the skink more space to explore and increases its overall quality of life in captivity. It is important to avoid cohabitation unless the sex of each skink has been confirmed, as Ocellated Skinks are live-bearers and their population can be difficult to control in a group setting.
Lighting and Temperature
Ocellated Skinks require high-quality UVB lighting to maintain their health in captivity. The best UVB bulbs for Ocellated Skinks include the Arcadia T5 HO Forest 6% and the Zoo Med T5 HO Reptisun 5.0. A heat lamp is also necessary to provide a basking surface temperature of 110-120°F, with a cooler area between 75-85°F on the opposite side of the enclosure. A low-wattage halogen heat lamp is recommended for this purpose.
Humidity and Substrate
Maintaining the correct humidity levels is essential for the health of an Ocellated Skink. These reptiles require 15-35% humidity during the day and a spike up to 90-100% at night. This can be achieved by misting the enclosure each night or using a fogger for a few hours every night.
The substrate should imitate the natural sandy or sandy soil environment of the Ocellated Skink. Recommended substrates include Zoo Med ReptiSand and Exo Terra Desert Sand. A depth of 4″ is ideal to allow for burrowing and digging behavior.
Decor and Enrichment
Providing a stimulating environment for your Ocellated Skink is crucial to its well-being. A barren enclosure can lead to stress and decreased quality of life. Here are some ideas for decorating and enriching your skink’s terrarium:
- Provide hiding spots such as caves, cork bark, or commercial reptile hides.
- Include climbing opportunities with branches, driftwood, or rocks.
- Add live or artificial plants for cover and visual interest.
- Use a background or cover three sides of the enclosure to increase the skink’s sense of security.
Feeding and Nutrition
Ocellated Skinks are primarily insectivorous, which means they require a diet consisting mainly of live insects. Feeding frequency and portion size depend on the skink’s age:
- Juveniles: Daily
- Adults: 2-3 times per week
- Pregnant and postpartum females: Daily
Offer a variety of feeder insects, such as dubias, discoids, red head roaches, crickets, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, and darkling beetles. Ocellated Skinks may also accept finely chopped greens, vegetables, or fruit as treats up to 2 times per week.
Supplements
Calcium and vitamin supplements are necessary to prevent deficiencies in your skink’s diet. We recommend using Repashy Calcium Plus LoD, lightly dusted on all feeder insects. Skipping a dusting occasionally is acceptable.
Water
Provide a small water bowl for your skink to drink from, ensuring fresh water is available daily. Clean the bowl weekly with a reptile-safe disinfectant or whenever it becomes soiled.
Handling and Interaction
Although Ocellated Skinks are not ideal for regular handling, they are still engaging and entertaining pets. These skinks are often bold and active, making them fascinating to observe while hunting insects or exploring their environment. Hand-feeding using feeding tweezers or offering treats directly from your hand can be a rewarding way to interact with your skink without causing stress.
Conclusion
The Ocellated Skink is a captivating and relatively low-maintenance reptile, making it a popular choice for beginners and experienced reptile keepers alike. By providing proper housing, lighting, temperature, humidity, substrate, decor, and nutrition, you can ensure your Ocellated Skink thrives in captivity. Remember, this care sheet is only a basic introduction, and further research from high-quality sources is essential for the successful care of your Ocellated Skink.