Care Guide
Overview
- Common Name: Red-eyed crocodile skink
- Scientific Name: Tribolonotus gracilis
- Origin: New Guinea
- Size: 7-10 inches
- Lifespan: 8-10 years
- Temperament: Incredibly shy and secretive
Enclosure Setup
Tank Size
- Minimum: 24” L × 18” W × 18” H
Substrate
- Depth: Should be at least 3 inches deep to allow burrowing and digging
- Our Mixture: Bio-active mix
Decor
- Cork bark hides
- Dense foliage
- A large water dish to soak and swim in
- Leaf litter on the top layer of soil
Temperature and Heating
Temperature Gradient
- Warm side: 80–82°F
- Cool side: 72–75°F
- Night temps: Can drop to 70–72°F
Humidity
- Target: 70-90% maintained with moist substrate, occasional misting, and a large water dish
Diet
Staples
- Crickets
- Dubia Roaches
- Mealworms (in moderation)
- Occasional Superworms
Feeding Schedule
- Adults: 2-3 feedings per week
- Juveniles: every other day
Supplements
- Calcium:
- Without D3: 2-3x per week
- With D3: 1x per week
- Multivitamin: 1x per week
Water:
- Provide a large water dish at all times, they may soak and swim often
Behavior and Handling
- Naturally shy and burrow often
- Best kept as a display species with low handling
- May play dead, drop their tail, or chirp/bark when stressed or threatened
- When Handling, avoid grabbing from above and make sure to support their entire body
Key Care Tips
- Provide a large water bowl for swimming and soaking
- Ensure soil is at least 3 inches deep to allow for burrowing
- Dense hiding foliage
- Minimal handling if possible and kept as a display species
- Mostly nocturnal while being most active around dusk and just before dawn