Scaly friends count too.
Schneider's Skink
Eumeces schneiderii
Also called Berber Skink, Gold Skink, Orange-tailed Skink, Berberskink, Tüpfelskink
From North Africa, Western and Central Asia: from Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt through Cyprus, Turkey, the Levant, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia to the Caucasus, the Central Asian republics, Afghanistan, Pakistan and north-western India. It favours semi-desert, rocky ground, grassland and scrub at about 150-1,800 m altitude.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Smooth, glossy scales, cylindrical skink
A sturdy, tube-shaped skink with short, strong legs and smooth shiny scales. Adults are olive-grey to brownish above, scattered with golden-yellow or orange-red spots, and a yellowish to orange stripe runs along each side from below the eye to the hind leg. The belly is pale cream. Youngsters are greyer with rows of white spots and boldly coloured tails.132
Personality what they are like
An alert, daytime skink that spends the night tucked under stones or shrubs. Males become territorial in the breeding season, so they are happiest with their own space.3
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active by day and a keen burrower; it can close its ear openings while digging. A deep, diggable substrate with rocks to hide beneath suits its natural habits.3
Home where they are happiest
No dedicated care sheet was found. In the wild it lives in warm, dry semi-desert, rocky ground and scrub, sheltering under rocks and bushes, so a dry, warm, roomy terrarium with deep substrate and rock hides mirrors its natural home.31
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Mainly insects and spiders, plus snails and some plant material.3
Company who they like around
Males are territorial during the breeding season, so keeping one animal per enclosure, or a carefully managed pair, is the simple option.3
The story where it all began
François Marie Daudin described the species in 1802 as Scincus schneiderii, naming it after the German zoologist Johann Gottlob Schneider. It is now placed in the genus Eumeces, whose name comes from a Greek word meaning of good length, and four subspecies are recognised across its wide range.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- The Reptile Database
- Eumeces schneiderii (Daudin, 1802), with four subspecies: barani, pavimentatus, princeps and schneiderii.2
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Schneider's Skink. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Schneider's Skink?
Furry Diary's starting plan suggests feeding depends on the skink's age and species. A young, growing skink may need food every day or two, while an adult can be fed every other day or a few times a week. Always check with your vet for a schedule tailored to your skink. Furry Diary plan
What does a Schneider's Skink eat, and what should it never eat?
Your skink mainly eats insects and spiders, plus snails and some plant material. Never feed it wild-caught insects that may carry pesticides, or any human food like fruits or vegetables not listed in its natural diet. Stick to gut-loaded, store-bought insects and follow your vet's advice on supplements.3
How much space does a Schneider's Skink need?
A roomy terrarium is best, as this active skink loves to burrow and explore. Furry Diary's plan doesn't give exact dimensions, but a 40-gallon tank or larger is a good starting point for one adult. Provide deep substrate and rock hides to mimic its natural semi-desert home.31
What temperature, light or water does a Schneider's Skink need?
Keep the terrarium warm and dry, with a warm end around 90-95°F and a cooler end in the 70s. Provide a UVB light for 10-12 hours daily, and change the bulb every 6 months as per the maker's advice. Always have fresh water available, and check temperatures daily.31 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Schneider's Skink's home?
Spot-clean daily by removing waste and uneaten food. Furry Diary's plan recommends a full clean once a month, replacing the substrate and disinfecting the enclosure. This keeps your skink healthy and its home fresh. Furry Diary plan
Can a Schneider's Skink live with others?
Males are territorial during breeding season, so it's simplest to keep one per enclosure. A carefully managed pair might work, but for a stress-free life, your skink is happiest alone. Always ask a good breeder or exotic vet for pairing advice.3
How long does a Schneider's Skink live?
With proper care, these skinks can live for many years, often 10 to 15 years or more in captivity. Their lifespan depends on diet, habitat, and regular vet check-ups. Provide a stable, enriching home to help them thrive.
Can I handle a Schneider's Skink?
Yes, you can handle your skink gently, but it may be nervous at first. Start with short sessions and let it get used to your presence. Always support its body and avoid grabbing the tail, as it can drop off as a defense.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Eumeces schneideri - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for taxonomy, etymology, range, habitat, size, colours, subspecies
- Eumeces schneiderii - The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.czused for common names, subspecies, distribution, describer, etymology, juvenile colour, sexual dimorphism
- Berberskink - Wikipedia (German) de.wikipedia.orgused for total length, appearance, habitat, behaviour, diet, reproduction
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.