Description: These medium sized skinks are widely distributed across eastern Africa and are exported from several countries. They are found in a variety of humid to dry habitats and may even co-exist with people in sparsely populated areas. The typical adult size ranges from 7" to 9" and the body shape is cylindrical like most skinks. Basic color is blackish with 3 yellowish or gold stripes down the back. Juveniles have bright blue tails that are believed act as a focal point to predators that is easily shed for a distraction while they escape. It also seems to invoke a degree of tolerance from the adults so that they usually do not bully their young. Some adults may retain a degree of blue color in the tail.
These skinks can be tamed down and handled but care must be taken to keep the tail from breaking off.
Females can be housed together but only one male should be kept per enclosure as they may fight each other for dominance. It may be possible to house other similarly sized lizards together with them, even other skink species.
Similar species of roughly the same size include:

African striped skink Mabuya striata. A live bearer that has 2 light stripes down the back.
White lined skink Mabuya vittata. Also a live bearer.
Blue-throat skink Mabuya sp. Egglayers.

Temperature: Daytime: 75°F with an 80-85°F basking area. A drop to around 70°F at night is okay. A temperature gradient throughout the enclosure is preferred.

Humidity: Low to medium: 40 to 65%. A humidity gradient throughout the enclosure is helpful, especially during shedding. Spraying water to lightly moisten an area around the water dish once or twice a week is an effective way of doing this.

Lighting: UV lighting should be provided along with a basking area. A regular tropical 12 hour day should be given using a timer.

Feeding: Somewhat omnivorous, will mainly eat live foods such as mealworms, crickets, moths, earthworms, roaches, beetles, etc. May also eat fruits, commercial reptile foods and low-calorie premium canned dog food. Be sure to give a good quality vitamin/mineral supplement once or twice a week.
A bowl of clean water with easy in and out access should be available at all times.

Habitat: Provide at least a 10-gallon tank for a pair, floor space is more important than height. A secure ventilated lid is needed. Set it up as a savanna habitat with a basking spot, live or artificial plants, a few climbing branches and a cave or hiding place. They often burrow so provide a deep substrate consisting of bark chips that contain no pine or cedar. If rocks or other heavy items are used, make sure that they are buried into the substrate to prevent tunneling accidents.

Sexing: Males will usually fight if put together. Skinks do not have femoral pores.

Breeding: This species lay eggs but so far, not much is known about breeding it in captivity.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna