Fire Skink Riopa fernandi
Description: Also known as the True Fire Skink, Togo Fire Skink, Fernando’s Fire Skink and Lygosoma fernandi or Mochlus fernandi. From West and Central Africa (Guinea, east to Zaire, Angola and Uganda)(Togo and Ghana). This species is very widely distributed in humid woodlands and subtropical rainforest areas, spending the night and much of the day in their underground burrows. These shiny, tubular shaped lizards reach an adult size of 10" to 14". These beautiful skinks can be quick but caring for them is not difficult. Making good pets, they adapt well to captivity and become tame enough to handle. Beware, they can sometimes be aggressive, hissing and threatening to bite, especially if provoked. Usually, they will not actually do it but there is the possibility the tail can break off if grabbed so be careful when handling them. The back is a dark gold to tan in color and the sides have the black, white and red fire pattern. The tail and short legs are blackish. Males are territorial and should be housed separately. A male and one or more females may be kept together if excess fighting does not occur. Females can usually be safely kept together and are often more docile toward people than the males. Captive bred specimens can live for up to 20 years. Temperature: Daytime 75° to 85°F, about 5°F cooler at night, basking area about 90°F. A temperature gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred. A reptile heat mat will provide beneficial ground heat. Humidity: Moderate to high, 70-80%. A humid hide with damp sphagnum moss inside (such as a plastic box with an entrance hole) is beneficial and can help with shedding problems. Lighting: UV light should be provided for 12 hours or so a day. A regular incandescent bulb should be used above the basking site instead of a spot light as these skinks prefer the less intense light and heat. Feeding: Somewhat omnivorous, will mainly eat live foods such as mealworms, crickets, moths, earthworms, roaches, beetles, pinkie mice, etc. May also eat fruits, commercial reptile foods and low-calorie premium canned dog food. Some will only take live, moving prey. Be sure to give a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement once or twice a week. Habitat: Provide at least a 20-gallon tank for a pair, floor space is more important than height. A secure ventilated lid is needed. Set it up as a low forest habitat with a basking spot, live or artificial plants, plenty of dark hiding places and climbing branches. They often burrow so provide a deep substrate consisting of mulch, compost, Peat moss or potting soil, mix in moist sphagnum moss if desired. Pine and cedar free bark chips may also be used. It should be moderately damp and never water logged or soggy. One area should be kept dryer to give them a humidity choice. Brumation: Seasonal day length and temperature fluctuations are not extreme in the areas they are from but there are distinct wet and dry periods. A relatively short, slightly dryer period prior to breeding attempts should be enough. Sexing: Males will usually fight if put together. They may have brighter colors, larger heads and thinner bodies than females but none of these differences are reliable. Breeding: Feed them well prior to breeding attempts to put them into good condition. When ready, the male will chase the female and bite her on the neck. If mating is successful, the female should become gravid and will search out a suitable place to bury her eggs when it is time to lay them. A nest box should be provided but the nest could be anywhere in the tank: often under a piece of wood or other object. It may be hard to find them if there were no witnesses. Usually, 5 to 9 eggs are laid and they should be removed for incubation. Be careful not to change the orientation of the eggs when transferring them as it will likely kill them. Incubate at about 85°F and hatching should occur in about 6 weeks. |