Schneider's Skink (Eumeces schneideri)

Schneider’s Skink

Scientific Name: Eumeces schneideri
Common Name: Schneider’s Skink, Berber Skink

Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 12 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm) in total length, with a robust body and long tail.

Appearance: Schneider’s Skinks are smooth-scaled, muscular lizards with a bright and attractive pattern. Their base colour ranges from sandy tan to warm brown, accented by vivid yellow or orange lateral stripes and dark speckling. Many individuals show orange flanks or head highlights. The tail is long and tapered, the limbs short but strong, and the face blunt with expressive eyes. Their polished scales and warm tones make them visually striking desert reptiles.

Distribution: Native to northern Africa, the Middle East, and parts of southwestern Asia, including Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Israel, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

Habitat: This species inhabits dry scrublands, semi-deserts, rocky plains, and sandy areas. They often use burrows, crevices, or loose soil for shelter and thermoregulation. Their environment is hot, open, and low in humidity.

Behaviour: Schneider’s Skinks are diurnal, alert, and highly inquisitive. They are strong diggers and spend time both basking above ground and burrowing into loose soil. Although shy at first, they often become confident around keepers and may investigate activity outside their enclosure. They rely on both speed and burrowing for safety.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide an enclosure measuring 36 × 18 × 18 inches (90 × 45 × 45 cm) for a single adult, with 4 × 2 × 2 feet (120 × 60 × 60 cm) preferred for increased movement and digging space. Furnish with a deep arid soil–sand mixture that remains dry on top, as well as rocks, cork, branches, and multiple hides. Ensure décor is firmly secured to prevent collapse when the skink burrows beneath it.

Temperature and Humidity:
Basking area: 105 to 115°F (40 to 46°C)
Warm side: 90 to 95°F (32 to 35°C)
Cool side: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C)
Night temperatures: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C)
Humidity: 20 to 40%, keeping the enclosure well-ventilated and dry.

Lighting: Provide bright full-spectrum lighting with strong UVB (10 to 12%). High-intensity lighting supports digestion, activity, and natural colour expression.

Diet: Schneider’s Skinks are omnivorous but primarily insectivorous. Offer a varied diet of crickets, roaches, darkling beetles, black soldier fly larvae, mealworms, superworms, and occasional earthworms. Soft fruits or vegetables (such as squash or berries) may be offered sparingly. Supplement insects with calcium frequently and multivitamins weekly.

Behaviour in Captivity: This species is active, curious, and often bold once acclimated. They enjoy digging, basking, and exploring. Handling is tolerated in short sessions, though they may be quick and prefer to rely on ground movement. A well-structured enclosure allows them to express natural behaviours.

Special Considerations:
• Provide deep substrate and secure all décor items.
• Maintain low humidity and strong ventilation to prevent respiratory issues.
• Handling should be gentle—these skinks can be fast and rely on burrowing when startled.
• Cohabitation is not generally recommended; if attempted, monitor carefully for resource guarding.

Taxonomy Note

Eumeces schneideri is part of a widespread Old World skink group, though its taxonomy has undergone revisions with some classifications placing it in Novoeumeces. Regardless of naming variations, the species is well known for its bold striping and hardy nature.