Prince Hunter

[iluvfoals]

Hi guys!! I'm a newbie! Anyways, I wanted to show you my male broad headed skink, Prince Hunter, or Hunter for short. :3 I caught him in a friends garage. She traded for 2 smaller 5 lined skinks. I want advice on how to healthily and cheaply raise him if possible. I have him in an old fish tank. Maybe i can post a pic of it. I'll try to... Anyway, thanks! Any help is appreciated!! :banana:

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Don't know anything about Prince Hunter.

GU's Other Herps forum would be a good place to post about him: Other Herps

I have one of those very same diamond-shaped tanks . Can't tell from your photo. Mine is 15.25 inches tall.

 

[cricket4u]

I want advice on how to healthily and cheaply raise him if possible.

If you're thinking this way, it may be best to return him to the area found. Wild caught reptiles can suffer from maladaptive syndrome, especially when not provided with lots of space. Remember wild reptiles are accustomed to lots of area to travel as well as variety of insects. I would never bring in a reptile from the wild for this reason, unless it was injured.

I just noticed the picture and I have to be honest, not an ideal set-up for this skink (he looks stressed). Think forest like, leaf litter with lots of places to hide, NOT desert.

 

[iluvfoals]

But since every skink specimen is wild collected and hundreds sold in the pet trade...?? I'll change his terrarium, though. And, if I released him where he was found he would probably die. It was a pesticide-filled GARAGE. No forest like places and not many trees at all, for at least 6-8 roads down.

 

[iluvfoals]

So would a good home be... leaf litter on top of soil under lots of branches and leaves? I have a 62 inch terrarium-- good home?

Anyway, I'll try to post a pic of his NEW AND IMPROVED home.

 

[cricket4u]

But since every skink specimen is wild collected and hundreds sold in the pet trade

Yes, but many die within the first year of captivity.


First of all, are you sure it's a Broad headed skink? I hate going by pictures, but I'll take a better look at the photo.

Species Profile: Broadhead Skink (Eumeces laticeps) | SREL Herpetology

Sure does look like a broad headed skink. Just to make sure look at the differences.
http://www.virginiaherpetologicalso...ds/broad-head-skink/laticeps-vs-fasciatus.jpg

 

[iluvfoals]

Yes, I'm sure. Why would he have a widened head and large scales underneath the tail?

 

[cricket4u]

Honestly due to all the questions in your threads. If you were familiar, why would you ask?:biggrin: Also I forgot to mention that not all skink specimens are wild caught.

 

[Riverside Reptiles]

Not nearly all skinks are wild caught. Many are captive bred. Your enclosure is far too small. They are arboreal, so you need a lot more vertical furnishings. Some hide spots, heating and thermostat, uv light, etc.
I'd suggest going to a forum that is more dedicated to the species like http://forums.kingsnake.com/forum.php?catid=57

 

[Golden_Gecko_Lover]

Ok, guys, there's no reason to get SO upset. The skink was released where he was found, no big deal. You guys act like this person killed the animal with all these comments. Since this player (iluvfoals) is my friend, I am defending but she really didn't do anything. She wasn't intending to keep the skink, anyways. She said she wanted to raise him, but not seriously!! /