I found a Fire Skink

[waterfaller1]

I went to clean out the BBQ grill so we can cook some steaks tonight, and there was a skink in my cast iron skillet that was sitting on top of a plastic container on the bottom shelf, that holds all my bbq supplies! He is beautiful. Gold on his back, and red, black and silver on his sides. I think he is weak from hunger, he just let me pick him up and he was limp.

 

[jemjdragon]

I would love to see pictures. Are you going to keep him or are you going to release him? I'd guess he is really dehydrated, so maybe give him some water before releasing him.

 

[M_surinamensis]

I would love to see pictures. Are you going to keep him or are you going to release him? I'd guess he is really dehydrated, so maybe give him some water before releasing him.

If it is a fire skink, don't release it in Florida. Even if you found it wandering loose. It's captivity or termination.

 

[waterfaller1]

I will try to find out if someone lost a lizard nearby. Or he is mine.

 

[jemjdragon]

If it is a fire skink, don't release it in Florida. Even if you found it wandering loose. It's captivity or termination.

I'm sorry for suggesting it. I didn't know it wasn't native. I'd say keep him then or find it a home.

Also it looks beautiful.

 

[JordanAng420]

I want to find a fire skink! Shame on whoever let it go, but that's awesome that it found a permanent home!

 

[T-ReXx]

Great find! I love fires, they're such beautiful skinks. That one looks to be in pretty good shape to me. If he was limp he's probably a bit cold, looks to be of good weight. I'd have a stool sample checked for parasites as these guys are usually imports and have a heavy load, and give him a nice deep substrate to burrow in. Good luck with him!

 

[waterfaller1]

Thanks. I love him already. He is so mellow,but alert. He turns his head towards me when I enter the room. And he ate!:main_thumbsup:

 

[MiamiLeos]

Man why cant I find cool stuff like that!? Congrat on the new friend! But he's definitely not a native haha

 

[joeyjoe9876]

wow. the previous owner is horrible for letting him go like that..
Well at least he has a better one now! nice find. He/She looks great!

 

[Eureka]

That is one lucky Fire Skink! He is stunning, congrats on the find.

 

[slayer]

I'd have a stool sample checked for parasites as these guys are usually imports and have a heavy load, and give him a nice deep substrate to burrow in. Good luck with him!

......................................+1 Also make sure to give him a nice hot basking spot 110F-120F.

 

[waterfaller1]

Thank you. Going today to get something for more heat.Right now I just have a UTH, and a fixture with incorrect bulb type. I have a UVA/UVB bulb on order, with a fixture for it. I will get another fixture and either a basking bulb, or ceramic heat emitter. Any recommendations on that?

 

[T-ReXx]

Basking bulb. These guys like heat and light. An UTH will do fine for nighttime heat.

 

[waterfaller1]

Thanks again, have a great day!

 

[waterfaller1]

Ok, I got another fixture and a 75 watt basking light bulb, and a timer/outlet center. Some crickets, superworms, and I still have mealworms. I cannot find my calcium or vitamin mix, so ordered those. Also ordered a keeper, and some gutload and water cubes{never tried those}
A question please~
The caresheets seem pretty straightforward, with care similar to that of a leo. However, one thing they do not seem to agree on, is whether the viv should be kept totally moist, or have a dry and moist area available?

Your input appreciated.

 

[T-ReXx]

Fire skinks tend to live on the edges of habitats in the wild, i.e. the area between savannah and rainforest, etc. My experience has been you want a moist substrate, something deep enough that the top layer is dry but if you dig down and inch or two it's damp. You want damp, not saturated. Misting a water holding substrate like cocofiber or peat moss once or twice daily will usually get the wanted results.

 

[slayer]

You might find this to be helpfull

Bio-active substrate

 

[waterfaller1]

You might find this to be helpfull

Bio-active substrate

Oh my goodness, it's going to take me days to read this thread..lol. Thanks, very interesting so far.
Where do I get this eco earth?

 

[waterfaller1]

Fire skinks tend to live on the edges of habitats in the wild, i.e. the area between savannah and rainforest, etc. My experience has been you want a moist substrate, something deep enough that the top layer is dry but if you dig down and inch or two it's damp. You want damp, not saturated. Misting a water holding substrate like cocofiber or peat moss once or twice daily will usually get the wanted results.

Thanks, I am going to add some more substrates and try to keep it natural. I am just not sure where to get bugs? This is FL, and we have wicked bugs. I did put the bark from my live oak, peeled it right off the tree. Think it may already have critters?