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RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:54:00 GMT

Fire skinks are very, very tropical. I keep mine's enclosure at around eighty per cent humidity.

They are more often referred to as fire skinks, than true fire skinks or Togo fire skinks. But, that is why scientific names are so much better - Riopa fernandi.

Yeah, and PetSmart also keeps tokay geckos with house geckos.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

UROFAN — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 20:04:26 GMT

Are true fire skinks tropical?

Are they commonly known as fire skinks or true fire skinks?

petsmart calls them true fire skinks.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Nikita — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 19:11:25 GMT

Animalgirl, did you look to see how old this topic was? Roho already has his fire skink and doesn't need answers to those questions anymore.

Please keep post dates in mind when you reply; there is no need to clutter the boards with posts that a) are no longer needed and b) have been answered by others previously. Doing this buries posts that still need our attention.

If there are more "dead topics" that you've replied to, I won't respond to each of them because that would just be doing what I asked you not to do. But we would all appreciate it if you would read this post and take it to heart.

Thank you.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Animalgirl — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:25:57 GMT

The answers to questions 1 and 3 are both yes

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 17:06:27 GMT

Yeah, you better make sure (but I saw quite a few ads for them on kingsnake.com). You can check on the shows website.

I think uro's are adorable. Especially when they are babies. lol

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Sethrocksandherpsdotoo — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:51:02 GMT

Oh... woops! I've only gone to school once since my extreme sleding accident, and I totally forget the dates/days of the week when I'm on vacation. Cause I was off like 3 weeks (Was supposed to vacation for two weeks, but then the sled accident prolonged it, plus 2 snow days) and then I went to school yesterday, and that didn't get me in line yet.

Back on topic

No offense, but in my opinion, all uros are kind of ugly. I don't mean to offend anyone I just don't like their looks.

Oh, and BTW, do you know if the show even has fire skinks/mali uros?

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:55:20 GMT

Tomorrow...

My mom is hoping for the fire skink too!

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Sethrocksandherpsdotoo — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:16:33 GMT

Today's the big day for you, isn't it? Personally, I'm rooting (If that's how you spell that word) for the fire skink!

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:14:03 GMT

I like Pyro.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:55:29 GMT

Okay, so got some more names. Here is the list now.

Arson
Mars
Valentine
Pyro
Singe

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:46:52 GMT

You want to think of a deadly, destuctive and rude crime every time you think of your skink? You could also go with Pyro and Apollo.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Steve 95 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:10:58 GMT

Oh I thought you were getting 2, sorry I was confused. Good luck with which ethier one you'll get

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:52:19 GMT

Pssh. And you say I have a long list.

I know. That is why I like it.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:41:39 GMT

Its on the list. The very long list.

I like Mars. Arson reminds me of the crime where you set someone's house or building on fire.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:37:29 GMT

Yes, herpdude is right. I'm only getting one. And why is it bad to get two herps on one day? I know someone who came home from a reptile show with about 10 new reptiles. And yes, I can afford this.

Herpsrule, I didn't mean it to be rude. I just meant I have all the research done except for these specific questions.

Herpdude, you really need to get one of these! You know so much about them... I'll post lots of pics of him so you can feel like he's yours.

And also, names. I'm planning on a male, so I was thinking of Arson or possibly Mars. Which do you like?

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:22:16 GMT

Steve 95 (1/6/2009)

You really shouldn't get 2 herps at the same day, you should do some more reasearch on the fire skink. Also can you pay for all the supplies?

He is only getting one. It is between the two listed above. And this topic was posted for the reason of further research.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Steve 95 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:20:42 GMT

did you just decide to get a fire skink? do you have enough money for it?

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:34:26 GMT

I just saw you didn't get my care sheet. I posted it on your other topic and I'll do it here as well.

Well, here's my care sheet!

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Fire Skink Care Sheet:

Common name: Fire Skink
Scientific name: Riopa fernandi
Size: 10-14”
Life span: 15-20 years
Temperature: Hot/Basking side 90 degrees, Cool side 80-76, at night the temps should drop to around 70-75 degrees
Humidity: 50-70 degrees
Level: Beginner

Housing:

The minimum cage size for an adult is a 20 gallon long. To house more than one (2-3) a 40 gallon long should be used. Length and width are much more important than height.

Substrate:

Fire skinks enjoy a moist substrate to burrow through. One option is Repti-bark with sphagnum moss included in the mix. Other options include compost ( peat free is nice) mixed with sphagnum, or ferilizer/pesticide free soil. Keep the substrate moist not wet. Frequent misting can help achieve that.
The substrate should be around four inches deep or more.

Heating/ Lighting
A basking spot with a low wattage light should be provided. A good light to use is Zoo-Med’s Daylight bulb 65 watt, or you can use a regular 60 watt lightbulb from the Home Depot, Lowes, ect... A heat pad should also be provided for underground heat, 24 hours a day. Fire skinks require 12 hours of UVB light.

Diet:

These skinks will feed on a staple of crickets. Though a varied diet should be provided so you can also provide mealworms, superworms, phoenix worms, hornworms, butter wroms, and silk worms.

Décor:

There should be one hide located one the hot side. An optional hide can be included on the cool side, but a mass of plants is also fine. Three sides of the terrarium should be covered.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Maximum — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:11:27 GMT

1. Yes, that is fine. Bigger is better, though.

2. 50-70. I would mist 2-3 times a day. Adding spahgum moss (however you spell it) into the substrate also really helps.

3. I have not heard of it being used. But I am sure it is fine. You can also use Repti-bark with the s. moss mixed in.

4. That is fine. I suggest pushing the half-log into the substrate a bit. To create a "burrow" that will add to the security.

5. I am not sure. I have heard many different things. I guess it depends mostly on the skink and the amount of time gone into taming. I would suggest starting with a baby or a nice-tempered adult. They do have a good bite, so wearing gloves the first few times is a good idea.

6. GECKODUDE's suggestion is fine. Go with the 10.0, the time cycle is also fine.

7. Basking: 90-95
Cool Side: 80-76
Night: 70-75

8. A bulb and heat pad both will provide sufficient heat for the skink.

Hope this helps! Reply if you have any more questions or any clarifications.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

GECKODUDE — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:00:45 GMT

I do hope you are not going to get the compact bulbs. That is a major no no.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

herpsrule13 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:48:24 GMT

well ,sorry if my link isn't good enough for you

but i am not going to google specific answers for you

you can do that yourself in my link

RE: Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:11:41 GMT

Thanks, GECKODUDE, I'll get the 10.0 (but I'm actually getting Exo Terra not ReptiSun).

I don't need anyone to Google 'Fire Skink Care' and give me the first care sheet they find. I can and have done that on my own. I need specific answers to those questions.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

GECKODUDE — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:21:44 GMT

Roho i would get a 10.0 reptisun if you are going to have a screen over it. Screen filters out up to 80% of uvb at times. and if you would have a 5.0 your skink would only really get 2.5.

RE: Fire Skink Questions

herpsrule13 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:46:31 GMT

ah, the mali uromastyx love them had a pair

anyway here is a link for fire skinks

http://www.the-lizard-lounge.com/content/species/fire-skink.asp

i need some help in the amphibian forum topic fire belly toad plants

Fire Skink Questions

Grant — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:40:15 GMT

I may be getting a fire skink (Riopa fernandi) at the upcoming Repticon Reptile & Exotic Animal Expo on January 10! I was planning on getting a bearded dragon, but there was a change of plans, so now I'm either going to get a fire skink or a Mali uromastyx.

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1. Is a 20 gallon long a good size enclosure for a male fire skink?

2. About what per cent humdity do fire skinks need? About how often of misting would this require?

3. Is Eco Earth (coconut fibre) a good substrate?

4. Will an Exo Terra Medium Rock Cave on the hot side, a Fluker's Medium Half Log Hide, a peice of driftwood, and two large plastic plants be sufficient hiding spots for these shy skinks?

5. How hard are these skinks to tame? I've heard they have a nasty bite...

6. Is 5.0 UV the right amount of UV lighting for fire skinks? Is 12/12 hour cycles good for them?

7. What is the need temperatures for: basking spot during day, basking spot during night, cool side during day, and cool side during night?

8. Is an Exo Terra Desert Heat Pad (I know fire skinks are tropical, but I can find the rainforest version) with a rheostat on 24 hours a day a good way to provide heat for fire skinks?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks.