As a reptile enthusiast, you’re sure to love the exotic red-eyed crocodile skink. They are one of our all-time favorite pet reptiles. This incredible lizard has a unique look that you can’t find anywhere else!
As a Red Eye Crocodile Skink owner, you should know how to set up your reptile to live more comfortable and healthy.

The best setup of enclosure is going to be a traditional terrarium with front-facing doors and vents. Traditional glass aquariums work, too. However, it needs a screen top for proper ventilation. When it comes to tank size, it is recommended to get a tank that’s at least 30 inches long and 12 inches deep or ideally 10-20-gallon size if you’re planning to own a single reptile. A size of 20-40 gallon tank will be enough to keep a male and female pair. They are a shy type of creature so it’s best to keep them in a smaller than larger tank. It also helps them to adopt faster. However, you can accommodate more if you want, but you’ll need a much larger enclosure to avoid territorial issues.

A natural habitat modeled after the wet rainforest floor is best. Red-eyed crocodile skinks are used to living on moist substrates, but it is recommended to have a dry area so they can dry their new skin after shedding. However, a commercial mix of coconut fiber (Eco Earth), soil, and moss may be better for creating a natural setup. You can even place some dried oak leaves on top for a more natural effect! It is also recommended to put up shallow water at least 1-1.25 inches deep so they can soak their body when they feel hot or dehydrated.

Another important thing to include in their habitat setup is the hides. They spend most of their time in a dark hide. It is recommended to have 3 or more hides in a tank. Small cork logs, rocks caves, or even wooden boxes work well. And of course the Gecko Place! It’s the coolest hide you can give your small dragons. These hides will give them a place to feel safe and comfortable.

When it comes to food and feeding, it is highly recommended to bring them into an enclosure where they can easily adopt and get them to eat as soon as possible to avoid them suffering from severe anorexia. One of the easiest ways to get them eat faster is to place their food in a clear glass bowl and place it right next to their hide because they are too shy, so when they see their food near their hide, they will be encouraged to eat faster.

A suitable diet for this lizard is small-insects such as mealworms, superworm, and dubia roaches. Their diet requires live-prey, which can be found at a local reptile or pet-supplies store.

While caring for the Red-Eyed Crocodile Skink, owners should dust their food with calcium and Vitamin D3 to supplement their diet. If they do not eat all of their food, it should be removed as you spot-clean the tank.

Red-eyed crocodile skinks prefer moderate temperatures and a slight temperature gradient is the best way to accomplish this. Some owners also find having an under-tank heater works well to achieve the required 74℉-78℉ temperature. It is recommended to use heat pad rather than basking bulbs and ceramic heating pads since they were very sensitive to heat and light. It is recommended to always keep them cool and dark if possible. Just use the heat pad during the winter season to give them enough heat.

Red-Eyed Crocodile Skinks are not aggressive. However, they should still be handled infrequently because handling generally frightens these skinks. They are more of for-show reptile, rather than a companion or handling-reptile. Handling may cause them to freeze or to lose their tails. If they must be handled, do so with a flat, open hand and allow them to crawl into it. Keep them close to the ground in case they decide to jump, and never close them inside your palm.