How to Care for Five-Lined Skink Reptiles

Five-lined skinks, Eumeces fasciatus, can live to 6 years or more, with the right care and housing. They are relatively hardy and do not have the very specific requirements of some lizards, such as chameleons. A fairly straightforward tank and a diet of easy-to-breed insects such as crickets are sufficient for their needs.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-foot tank with light, heat lamp and heat mat
  • Reptile substrate
  • Rocks, bark and logs
  • Water bowl
  • Thermometers
  • Insects
  • Vitamin supplement for reptiles
  • Plant mister
  • Reptile disinfectant
  • Cleaning cloths
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up a 3-foot-long tank (or longer) with the heat lamp at one end and a heat mat underneath. This is big enough for two to four skinks. Add a few inches of reptile substrate such as bark. Position rocks and logs for basking and pieces of bark as hiding places. Add a solid, ceramic water bowl. All these items are available from big general pet stores or reptile supply stores.

    • 2

      Maintain a temperature of approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit in the warmest area of the tank and 80 degrees in the cooler part. Temperatures should be about 10 degrees lower at night. Reptiles maintain their body temperature by moving from warm areas to cool areas as necessary.

    • 3

      Feed the skinks on live insects such as crickets and mealworms. Dust the food items with a vitamin supplement once a week as per the instructions. Replace the skinks' water daily.

    • 4

      Mist the tank with the plant sprayer every few days. This species likes a certain degree of humidity.

    • 5

      Clean the tank once a week. Remove the skinks and place in a pet carrier or another tank. Remove the water bowl and accessories, dispose of the old substrate, and wipe the tank down with hot water and a reptile-safe disinfectant as per the instructions, Dry the tank, add new substrate and replace the animals and accessories.