African+Gold+Skink

toc

// Eumeces schneideri // Order: Squamata

=**__Husbandry Information__**=

Housing Requirements

 * 20 gallon aquarium with bedding such as sand, paper bedding, or reptile bark or on newspaper with supplemental hide boxes available.
 * Daylight basking lamp and night lamp if the temperature drops below 72*F

Diet Requirements

 * Insects (crickets, mealworms, superworms) or earthworm pieces.

Veterinary Concerns

 * If housing on sand, feed in a separate tank to avoid sand ingestion.
 * Monitor toes and tail for retained scales.

Notes on Enrichment & Training

 * Varied substrate, hide boxes, scent tubes, artifical plant rotation, varied diet
 * Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: We would occasionally supplement diet with a small amount of fruits, but no more than 3-4 times per year. We saw a preference for mango or watermelon pieces.

=__Programmatic Information__=

Potential Messaging

 * In general, animals seen at the zoo do not make good pets. Most have specialized dietary, veterinary, housing, and social needs that are difficult or impossible for even dedicated pet owners to meet. Always ensure that your future pet has not been taken from the wild. Capture of wild animals for the pet trade has significantly damaged the survival prospects of species such as sloths, tamanduas, and many parrots. Captured animals are typically mistreated by profit-motivated traffickers and dealers, resulting in many animal deaths; well-meaning animal lovers may feel like they are rescuing animals by purchasing them but are really perpetuating the cruelty. In addition, many exotic pets are released by their owners when they become too dangerous or demanding, often with devastating effects on local ecosystems. Animals that should never be kept as pets include all bats, primates, and exotic carnivores. Birds, fish, and reptiles have specialized needs, are frequently wild-caught, and damage the local environment if released; guests should be advised to educate themselves and proceed with caution. Domestic dogs and cats are almost always the best option! Many deserving animals are available for adoption at animal shelters. [] []

=__Acquisition Information__=

=__Comments from the Rating System__=
 * Pittsburgh Zoo: A little small for most programs, but a very friendly lizard.
 * Zoo Miami: Moderate value due to species commonplace in the pet trade and small size, however markings are attractive and animal is considered "cute" and easy to handle making it a good bridge for guests who would typically avoid lizards and other reptiles.

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat

 * desert regions of Northern Africa and Western parts of Asia

Physical Description

 * small yellow/brown lizard
 * can reach 14-16" overall length
 * Body is long but narrow.

Behavior

 * Nocturnal
 * They tend to bury themselves during the day if substrate is available.

Threats and Conservation Status
=__Did you know…__=
 * Also known as Berber Skink and Schneider's Skink in honor of German zoologist, Johann Gottlob Theaenus Schneider

=__Photographs__=

=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
 * Houston Zoo, Natural Encounters
 * Zoo Miami

//When adding a new page, remember to add tags!//
 * //Activity Schedule: diurnal, nocturnal, crepuscular//
 * //Continent of Origin//
 * //Diet Requirements: carnivore, herbivore, omnivore, etc.//
 * //General Habitat/Biome: deserts, forests, mountains, etc.//