Post by Admin - Angi on Apr 13, 2007 15:37:45 GMT
Crocodile Skinks - Triblonotus gracilis
These attractive little lizards are unusual but interesting to keep, they are usually friendly but they require high humidity which need a close eye kept on.
Native Range: Virtually unknown in captive collections until 1994 when specimens of T. gracilis and T. novaeguineae were imported from the Indonesian country of Irian Jaya on the western end of the island of New Guinea. Little information is available on their natural habitat, although they have been collected in moist habitat along waterways at fairly high elevations.
Handling: ‘Tribbies’, as they are affectionately known, will rarely attempt to bite, although they may do so if restrained. Handle gently, without pinching or squeezing. Remember that the tail may break off if handled roughly, and although it will regenerate, it will not appear original. Until accustomed to handling; the lizard should be handled inside the cage or while sitting on the floor. A frightened lizard may leap out of the keepers’ hand and take a fatal fall if held while standing. Juveniles may play dead if frightened.
They don’t require large cages but due to the humidity and water, glass or plastic is better than wood. Moss or bark is a good substrate as it keeps moisture in, they will still need a spray in the morning and evening. If using moss, then please rinse this out at least every couple of days with fresh water as otherwise it ends up soggy frtom frequent spraying and becomes a vector for bacteria They will also need hides so they feel secure, real plants would be good as it will help humidity.
They are insect eaters and their food should be gut loaded with calcium rich vitamins and coated in a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement.
Uv lighting is advised as lizards require UVB to produce vitamin D3, which in turn is required to synthesize calcium which is vital for healthy bones and preventing metabolic bone disease
Food: A variety of small arthropods are eagerly accepted by ‘Tribbies’. Hatchlings will feed on small crickets and wax-worms. As they grow, provide larger crickets, wax-worms, and mealworms. Dust food with a high quality multivitamin and calcium supplement about twice a week to provide additional calcium for growing bones. Adults may be supplemented once weekly, unless females are producing eggs. This uses huge amounts of calcium, and supplements should be made daily.
Humidity & Water: Provide clean water in a shallow dish. Humidity should be high, and these lizards seem to enjoy occasional misting. If kept too dry, these lizards often experience shedding problems, particularly the toes and spines along the back. Providing a small plastic container with lid (cut an access hole in the side) filled with damp sphagnum moss will allow the animal to shed properly. Stuck sheds on toes may harden and constrict the blood flow to the toes, causing loss of the toes. A weekly soak in an inch or so of tepid water will help to remove any unsloughed skin from toes. It may be necessary to reduce ventilation of the cage to increase humidity within, if shedding problems are consistently encountered.
Heating Provide a thermal gradient by placing a heat pad under one end of the cage. This should allow the lizards to choose from higher temperatures (about 82F) at the warm end, and cooler temperatures (about 72F) at the cooler end. Provide suitable hiding areas at both warm and cool areas, so the lizards can feel secure at any temperature. Use a thermostat to control your heating device.
written by Rachel Adams( Rachel works at The Reptile Zone, Bristol, UK)
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these care sheets, we acknowledge that differences of opinion do exist within the reptile world. Therefore we do encourage you do read around this topic further and discuss it with known keepers and breeders.
If you feel that we have made any errors, please feel free to contact any member of the team and we will endeavour to research the subject at hand further.
These attractive little lizards are unusual but interesting to keep, they are usually friendly but they require high humidity which need a close eye kept on.
Native Range: Virtually unknown in captive collections until 1994 when specimens of T. gracilis and T. novaeguineae were imported from the Indonesian country of Irian Jaya on the western end of the island of New Guinea. Little information is available on their natural habitat, although they have been collected in moist habitat along waterways at fairly high elevations.
Handling: ‘Tribbies’, as they are affectionately known, will rarely attempt to bite, although they may do so if restrained. Handle gently, without pinching or squeezing. Remember that the tail may break off if handled roughly, and although it will regenerate, it will not appear original. Until accustomed to handling; the lizard should be handled inside the cage or while sitting on the floor. A frightened lizard may leap out of the keepers’ hand and take a fatal fall if held while standing. Juveniles may play dead if frightened.
They don’t require large cages but due to the humidity and water, glass or plastic is better than wood. Moss or bark is a good substrate as it keeps moisture in, they will still need a spray in the morning and evening. If using moss, then please rinse this out at least every couple of days with fresh water as otherwise it ends up soggy frtom frequent spraying and becomes a vector for bacteria They will also need hides so they feel secure, real plants would be good as it will help humidity.
They are insect eaters and their food should be gut loaded with calcium rich vitamins and coated in a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement.
Uv lighting is advised as lizards require UVB to produce vitamin D3, which in turn is required to synthesize calcium which is vital for healthy bones and preventing metabolic bone disease
Food: A variety of small arthropods are eagerly accepted by ‘Tribbies’. Hatchlings will feed on small crickets and wax-worms. As they grow, provide larger crickets, wax-worms, and mealworms. Dust food with a high quality multivitamin and calcium supplement about twice a week to provide additional calcium for growing bones. Adults may be supplemented once weekly, unless females are producing eggs. This uses huge amounts of calcium, and supplements should be made daily.
Humidity & Water: Provide clean water in a shallow dish. Humidity should be high, and these lizards seem to enjoy occasional misting. If kept too dry, these lizards often experience shedding problems, particularly the toes and spines along the back. Providing a small plastic container with lid (cut an access hole in the side) filled with damp sphagnum moss will allow the animal to shed properly. Stuck sheds on toes may harden and constrict the blood flow to the toes, causing loss of the toes. A weekly soak in an inch or so of tepid water will help to remove any unsloughed skin from toes. It may be necessary to reduce ventilation of the cage to increase humidity within, if shedding problems are consistently encountered.
Heating Provide a thermal gradient by placing a heat pad under one end of the cage. This should allow the lizards to choose from higher temperatures (about 82F) at the warm end, and cooler temperatures (about 72F) at the cooler end. Provide suitable hiding areas at both warm and cool areas, so the lizards can feel secure at any temperature. Use a thermostat to control your heating device.
written by Rachel Adams( Rachel works at The Reptile Zone, Bristol, UK)
Whilst every care has been taken in the preparation of these care sheets, we acknowledge that differences of opinion do exist within the reptile world. Therefore we do encourage you do read around this topic further and discuss it with known keepers and breeders.
If you feel that we have made any errors, please feel free to contact any member of the team and we will endeavour to research the subject at hand further.