Teratoscincus scincus ssp. Care Sheet

By: Henk Veldkamp

Teratoscincus scincus keyserlingii

Introduction

• Teratoscincus is a small genus consisting of five species (T. scincus with 3 subspecies). Teratoscincus bedriagi, Teratoscincus microlepis, Teratoscincus przewalskii, Teratoscincus scincus scincus, T. s. keyserlingii, T. s. rustamowi and T. roborowskii.

• This care sheet is about two subspecies of T. scincus, namely T. scincus scincus and T. scincus keyserlingi. T. s. scincus has a more northerly range, bordering the Caspian sea, through Kazakhstan and east into Western China. It is also found in northern Afghanistan and some areas in Pakistan. T. s. keyserlingi has a more southerly range, eastern Arabian peninsular, Oman, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Both species live in very dry areas.

• T. s. keyserlingi is bigger then its brother T. s. scincus. The first has a length of approximately 20 cm (8 inches) (from snout to the point of the tail); the second reaches a length 5 cm (2 inches) shorter. Handling of the geckos must be minimized because their skin is very delicate. They can easily loose sections of skin if they are not handled properly. Males can be recognized by the hemipenal bulges at the base of the tail and the darker color of the scales between the hind legs. Sexual dimorphism is seen the best in the mating season (spring).

• T. s. scincus can be kept in small groups (not more then one male). T. s. keyserlingi can better be kept in pairs or separately. An enclosure of 50 × 40 × 40 cm (~20 × 16 × 16 inches) will do for a pair or an individual. Give each individual an opportunity to find shelter.
• I use beach sand for the substrate. The animals often lick up sand. By using beach sand, you provide the animals with calcium and mineral salts, which is very important for breeding. If obtaining sand from beaches gives you trouble, use a mixture with a large part of fine grade shell-grit.
• No special spectrum lighting is required. In summer, 16 hours of simulated daylight is sufficient; in winter, 8 or 10 hours is best.

• Teratoscincus are nocturnal. T. s. scincus live mainly in the darkest hours of the night. T. s. keyserlingi are also active during the day and twilight. Males are intolerant toward each other. In nature they make holes about 80 cm (32 inches) deep (into the humid underground). The animals are adapted to very extreme circumstances. Through their delicate skin, they are able to take up oxygen directly from the air. Summer temperatures should be between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius. In winter a decrease of 10 degrees Celsius can be initiated. Changes of season are important for breeding.

• I feed my animals mainly with crickets (Gryllus bimaculatus). In autumn I feed them with all kinds of spiders. The also eat mealworms, waxmoth larvae and grasshoppers. In nature they eat a lot of beetles and chafers. All the insects must be dusted with a calcium/vitamin supplement. Feeding (in summer) three times a week (four big crickets) is sufficient.

• Breeding is not easy. Mating takes place at the beginning of the year, when ambient temperatures are rising. Extra calcium for the females is very important in this period. Females produce about four clutches a year, each consisting of two eggs (calcified). The eggs must be incubated dry (at 30-40% relative humidity). Incubation time is approximately three months for T. s. keyserlingi and two months for T. s. scincus. Juveniles can be fed with the same food as the adults; of course, one must adjust the prey size for the smaller size of the young animals.

Teratoscincus scincus scincus