Golden Skink
(Eutropis multifasciata)
Distribution
This species of skink was reclassified in the last couple of years (2004) from
Mabuya multifaciata. It is also sometimes referred to as Common Sun Skink, Asian Sun Skink, Many Lined Sun Skink and the East Indian Brown Mabuya.
This skink is from semi arid areas of South East Asia. It has also established breeding feral populations in Florida.
There are currently two subspecies that are recognized and these are Eutropis multifasciata multifasciata and Eutropis multifasciata tjendikianensis.
Size
This species reaches sizes of between 17.5cm and 22.5cm (7” and 9”).
Diet
A totally insectivorous skink. Its captive diet should consist of bi-daily feeds comprising of a range of brown crickets, black crickets, wax worms, spiders, beetles and mealworms. These should all be dusted with a high quality calcium powder and gut loaded prior to feeding.
Requirements
- Heat Source: - This can be either guarded and thermostatically controlled reflector (spot) lights in green, blue or red, or ceramic bulbs. Themostatically controlled heat mats are a useful additional source of heat.
- Ultra Violet Light Source: - Require a Reptisun 5.0 UVB light. This should be left on for 12 to 14 hours a day and replaced every six months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer and positioned no more than 30cm away from the basking lizard to optimize exposure.. This will create a day and nighttime effect as well as give your lizard sufficient levels of UV to allow vitamin D3 synthesis.
- Thermostat: - An essential part of every vivarium and is required to control the heat inside the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
- Wire Mesh Guards: - These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns from occurring.
- Thermometers: - One should be placed at either end of the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat, as this is often inaccurate.
- Hides: - These are essential to prevent stress and allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides.
- Housing - This should consist of a dark wooden Vivarium with glass frontage and adequate ventilation. A Vivarium measuring 60cm by 45cm by 30cm (2ft x 1½ft x 1ft). Hatchlings can be kept in a smaller container inside their future Vivarium.
Temperature
Day time temperatures should reach between 23.8 and 31C (75F to 88F). At night the temperature gradient may be allowed to drop to between 18.3C and 21C (65F to 70F).
Humidity and water
This species requires moderate levels of humidity. This can be accomplished by providing a humid hide for it and a shallow water bowl. Spraying the enclosure every two days with tepid water also aids in the maintaining of a moderate humidity.
Longevity
This species of Skink has been known to live up to 20 years of age in captivity.
Substrate
Calcium sand is an excellent substrate for this skink, it should be at least 6.25cm to 7.5cm (2½ to 3 inches) deep to facilitate the skinks burrowing. Another alternative which allows digging more is to use a sand/soil mixture as this will help to aid the shedding as well. (Dust free) Bark Mulch (not cedar or pine) is also a good substrate for this species as the pieces are usually too large for the lizard to accidentally ingest whilst feeding.
NB – photograph of a male taken by Stuart Dodsworth.
A map will be added as soon as one is located.
Recommended Reading/Useful Contacts
Stuart Dodsworth –
stuartandlynette@dodsworth2005.wanadoo.co.uk
The International Herpetological Society –
www.international-herp-society.co.uk
The British Herpetological Society –
www.thebhs.org
Taxonomy Information –
http://srs.embl-heidelberg.de:8000/srs5bin/cgi-bin/wgetz?-e+[REPTILIA-Species:'Mabuya_SP_multifasciata']
http://www.wildflorida.org/critters/exotics/SpeciesNumberResults.asp?SPPNO=293 - information on the Florida population.
www.reptilekeeper.co.uk
Photo Credit:
http://www.eawt.co.uk
Linear Mode
