Berber Skink

The Berber Skink (Eumeces schneideri) is also known as Schneiders Skink and the Dotted Skink. This skink species has a long body, and short legs. Their colouration is normally tan or sand, with lighter undersides.

The Berber Skink is native to Northwestern Africa and Western Asia. They grow to sizes of 14 to 16 inches, and can live up to 20 years.

Berber Skinks Diet

The Berber Skink is an omnivore. They need a balanced diet of meat protein and vegetables. Insects are the main source of protein for Berber Skinks. Offer them crickets, mealworms, butterworms (not often, there are fatty), silkworms, and earthworms (if they will eat them). Pinky mice can be offered once in a while as well if your Berber Skink is large enough.

As for the vegetables, feed them a mixture of sweet potatoes, carrots, beans, and softened or mashed fruits. Keep a water dish in the enclosure at all times, and make sure to clean the water daily. You can place small fish in the water dish as well, which may be eaten by some Berber Skinks.

Lighting, Temperature & Humidity

The main light source needs to be full-spectrum UVB lighting. Keep the lights on a 12 hour cycle. Temperatures during the day need to be around 87 degrees F, while night time temperatures should be lowered to 65 degrees F. During the daytime, a basking spot for your Berber Skink should be available that reaches 100 degrees F. The heat can be achieved by using incandescent bulbs, a ceramic heat emitter, or a heat pad for the underside of the enclosure, or a combination. Keep the humidity levels fairly low, around 20%.

Berber Skink Habitat Requirements

A 20 gallon glass aquarium is a good starting point for a Berber Skink. A larger enclosure is always better. Provide hiding places and a few branches for climbing and basking. Berber Skinks are burrowers, so the substrate needs to be deep. A minimum of 3 inches is normally sufficient. Use peat moss, sphagnum moss, or similar mulch type substrate. Play sand can also be used if kept slightly dampened.