I usually bury the dish partially so that they can get inside easily, and I leave a few small river stones in the water to provide a sort of stairway back out of the dish should the skinks choose to swim (And they will!) (Guilt-free Evil? This way your pet skink can decide which spot it likes best, or if there are other lizards hanging out together, they can find suitable hiding spots without piling on top of each other and competing for cover. Apart from that, their heads are large and are more triangular, which is why they are also known as casque-headed skinks and helmeted skinks. They also possess eyes that are ringed with a red color, which is why they are called red or even orange-eyed crocodile skinks. While some basking activity has been observed, this species is primarily nocturnal, with some crepuscular behavior (active in the early morning and late evening). However, you can add a deep end pool because they do love swimming. They love climbing, hence they are usually found 4-5 inches above the ground. These skinks make for perfect pets, especially for beginners. This is an easy way to make a quick determination but the fail safe method is to examine the toes of their hind feet. Red Eyed Crocodile Skinks are quite inexpensive. It also depends on the eating and defecating habits of the skink. So, whatever substrate you choose, you need to choose one that retains moisture well and allows the tank to be sufficiently humid for the lizard. So, think to yourself: Do you have a room where you can reliably keep the temperature in this range? Terrarium with plenty of ground space. This is my best attempt at putting together the most useful info that I can, based on a decade or so of experience importing , keeping, and selling these creatures. Go with at least a 24 long tank to provide enough space for your Croc Skinks to roam. Red-Eyed Crocodile Skinks hatching ( Tribolonotus gracilis ) This will allow your skink to move to the higher temperature end if it needs to bask and to the cooler end if it needs to cool down! Sometimes the animals may scratch you in self-defense, so be careful when handling them. The exact likes and dislikes of your skink may vary. The frequency mostly depends on how many individual members you have in the enclosure, and how big the boundaries of the vivarium actually are. Should you provide special lighting or heating for your Red Eyed Crocodile skink? We hope our red-eyed crocodile skink guide helped quench your thirst for knowledge on these creatures. However, they are also available in online stores as well. Red Eyed Crocodile skinks (Tribolonotus gracilis) are perhaps one of the most popular reptiles we offer for sale. These include Snake caves and hide boxes. Never use heavy rocks or anything that can squish your skink. Even if an animal dies in captivity, this could likely be due to negligence from the zookeeper or due to disease. However, like in all reptiles, males are found to fight over territory disputes. The crocodile skink, also known as the red-eyed crocodile skink, is a unique reptile native to New Guinea.A few closely related species are also known as crocodile skinks, but the red-eyed is the most well known.. Do not invest in skinks which have visible parasites or deformities on them. These websites may include Underground Reptiles and Blackwater Reptiles. A typical range would be within 1 inch deep. They may even try to play dead or appear motionless to dissuade any potential predators. The substrate is an important part of designing an enclosure for your skink. Even females can be quite territorial and would become aggressive if anyone trespasses their territory. Picking up your skink occasionally for a health check / quick examination is not going to hurt it, but repetitive handling can stress out your lizard and lead to health issues. So, you will find these skinks mostly in bushes. They might be hard to spot at first, but once you know what to look for, sexing Tribolonotus gracilis will be a breeze. However, these are only minor inconveniences. Apart from the humid, tropical forests, they are found living in human-populated areas as well. This means that they bask in whatever sunlight is available to them. They enjoy spending lots of time in these cool, moist places. It is best to monitor their feeding and feces to ensure that your skinks are indeed eating and littering healthily. Hence we dont recommend keeping two males together. Other decorative items can also be placed within the vivarium, like branches, logs, plants, and water sources. However, you can keep a single male with a female. substrate plays quite an important role in trying to maintain the humidity level inside the enclosure. There should be enough cover to help them retreat to their hiding places. Moreover, the red-eyed croc skinks prefer spending the majority of their time on damp grounds remaining hidden within wood logs or dense bushes. Unfortunately, this question can be heavily debated. Note: Always use spring water or tap water that has been treated to be reptile safe. So now the topic of debate. However, do not use soil or sand as the lizard can often end up eating it, which might lead to impaction.