Skinks are a diverse group of lizards, with over 1,500 species found worldwide, excluding arctic and subarctic regions. They exhibit varied appearances, from smooth bodies to spiny scales, and some even have reduced or absent limbs, giving them a snake-like appearance.
What Skinks Eat in Their Natural Habitat
In their natural environments, skinks are primarily insectivorous. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming a wide array of invertebrates. This includes common insects like crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, moths, and cockroaches, as well as spiders, earthworms, slugs, and caterpillars. Their agility helps them hunt prey.
Larger skink species might occasionally broaden their diet to include small vertebrates. This includes other lizards, young rodents, or bird eggs. Some skink species, like blue-tongued skinks, are omnivores, incorporating plant matter. They may opportunistically consume soft fruits, berries, tender leaves, or flowers when available.
Feeding Skinks as Pets
When keeping skinks as pets, providing a diet that mimics their natural intake is important for health. Live insects should be the primary food source, as skinks prefer to hunt moving prey. Suitable options include crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, and black soldier fly larvae.
Offering a variety of insects ensures a broader range of nutrients. Prey items should not be larger than the space between the skink’s eyes to prevent injury. Commercially available skink foods or high-quality dog and cat foods can supplement a live insect diet for some species, but should not replace it.
Younger skinks require more frequent feedings, often daily. Adult skinks can be fed every two to three days, as their metabolism slows with age.
Important Dietary Considerations
Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation is crucial for captive skinks to support bone health and prevent metabolic bone disease. Feeder insects should be dusted with calcium powder, often containing D3, before being offered. The frequency of D3 supplementation can depend on UVB lighting access.
“Gut loading” feeder insects significantly enhances their nutritional value. This involves feeding the insects a nutrient-rich diet, such as dark leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables, for 12 to 72 hours. Providing fresh, clean water daily is essential for hydration.
Certain foods should be avoided due to potential toxicity, including avocado, onions, rhubarb, and citrus fruits. Feeding wild-caught insects carries risks of parasites or pesticide exposure, making commercially bred insects a safer choice.