This is a specific care sheet for Fire Skinks (Riopa fernandi), for more in this genus see Category:Riopa.
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Fire skinks have beautiful coloration. They typically have a gold back with black, red and white fire pattern on the side. They have a black and white throat region with a white speckled black tail and smooth scales.
| Pet Reptile (Riopa fernandi) Care Information | |
| Regions Found: | Guinea, East of Zaire, Angola and Uganda |
| Natural habitat: | |
| Longevity: | an estimation of 10-20 years |
| Years to Maturity: | |
| Adult Size: | 10-14 inches in length, with males being slightly larger |
| Temperament: | |
| Housing, Feeding and Climate of Riopa fernandi | |
| Housing Size: | 20-gallon tank (24 x 13 x 21) |
| Reptile Foods: | fruit, egg, pinky mice, and other lizards (i.e. Anoles), low fat cat food, veggies or other grubs, but often reject nonliving prey, especially fruits and veggies |
| Temperature: | Basking Area 90-95F, Day Cycle 80-85F, Night Cycle 75F |
| Humidity: | 70-80% ground humidity |
| Reptile Lighting: | |
| Special Requirements: | |
| Breeding Riopa fernandi | |
| Breeding Difficulty: | |
| Riopa fernandi Clutch Size: |
5-9 eggs |
| Gestation Period: | |
| Incubation Temperature: | |
| Incubation Humidity: | |
| Incubation Period: | 40-50 days |
| Health | |
| Any serious health issues | |
| Recommended Pet Supplies for Riopa fernandi | |
nb. All of these can be purchased from an online pet store |
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Contents
Fire Skink Diet
Mealworms, superworms, crickets, waxworms, spotted roaches, silkworms, phoenix worms, locusts and butterworms can all be part of a fire skinks diet. They can take fruit, egg, pinky mice, and other lizards (i.e. Anoles), low fat cat food, veggies or other grubs, but often reject nonliving prey, especially fruits and veggies. They are not active predators; they are sit-and-wait predators. Remember that a calcium supplement with lower phosphorus and D3 additive is always beneficial.
Water
A shallow water dish is suggested for drinking, bathing, and to aid in humidity.
Housing Fire Skinks
Fire skinks should be housed in no less than a 20-gallon tank (24 x 13 x 21) for one fire skink. Pieces of wood and/or plants to hide under should be provided to provide hiding places and security.
Fire Skink Substrate
Keepers should use soil with mulch or sphagnum as a substrate and should be moderately moist. It should never be dry or soggy. Moisten the substrate once daily so approximate 70-80% ground humidity is maintained.
Coconut husk retains moisture extremely well and can be used as part of a mixture for this purpose.
Fire Skink Temperatures
The enclosure temperature should be between 80 – 85 degrees during the day, and they should have a basking area that is about 90 – 95 degrees.
Night time temperatures can be lowered to 75 degrees.
Heating Fire Skinks
The size of the enclosure, room temperature, and other factors will depict how you heat your fire skinks enclosure. Some of the more common ways to maintain an adequate heat gradient is with the use of under tank heaters, ceramic heat emitters, incandescent bulbs, and heat tape.
A digital thermometer with an external probe should be used to monitor the temperatures.
Fire Skink Lighting
A basking light with a 10-12 hour light cycle is required. This is called a photoperiod.
Exposure to UVA and UVB will increase appetite, sexual drive, coloration, and increase overall health by allowing for natural synthesis of D3.
Fire Skink Temperament
Fire skinks have a very mild temperament but are best kept separate from one another. Females could be kept safely together, but never two males. Male and female pairs should only be kept together during breeding season.
Fire Skink Behavior
They burrow making them feel more secure. They can be easily handled but may resist coming out by swimming away in the substrate. They can be very moody and will bite if provoked. Look out for puffing of the throat and back arching as signs of aggression and be careful, because they can inflict a painful bite. They must be handled regularly in order to calm them down. Skinks are diurnal and are most active during the day.
Fire Skink Breeding
A well-fed Fire Skink will be necessary for a successful breeding and healthy babies. Nesting boxes are suggested but females may lay eggs within the enclosure and maybe difficult to spot. Females can lay up to 5-9 eggs. They can take as long as 40-50 days to hatch and should be incubated in vermiculite at approximately 85 degrees.