The Solomon Island Skink, often referred to as the "Prehensile Tail" or "Monkey Tail" skink,
is found exclusively on a cluster of small islands in the South Pacific. Their range is primarily the 6 major islands of the Solomon Isles
as well as Papua, New Guinea. They are undoubtedly found on many of the over 990 smaller less popular islands in the region as well, but certainly nowhere else in the world.
It is also presumed that isolated populations on each island have developed into their own unique "morphs" with distinguishable coloration. Although no subspecies have officially been named,
it is possible that the qualifications do exist.
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| Lucy, just "hanging out". |
Since the combined land area of the islands is less than that of the state of Maryland, habitat loss to any extent is
detrimental. Deforestation for industry and human habitation is taking a tremendously grim toll. It is critical that
sustainable breeding populations of corucia zebrata be raised in captivity to ensure the survival of this magnificent species.
A primarily nocturnal and almost exclusively arboreal creature, the skink spends it's day nestled in the heavily foliated tree branches or, if it is fortunate enough to find one, a cozy tree hollow.
At night, they emerge to feed. Although in the wild their exact diet is unknown, captive skinks will feed on a variety of fruits and vegetables but show no interest in any type of insect or animal offerings.
The skinks in my collection readily devour mustard greens, collard greens, dandelion greens, bananas, kiwi, peas, carrots, squash, and corn to name a few.
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This is the middle sized of my three females -
I originally thought she was a male, but have
changed my opinion. |
Housing of these fascinating creatures should provide them with ample room to climb with a variety of both vertical an horizontal branches.
I would recommend an enclosure absolutely no smaller than 4'h x 3'w x 3'l for an adult pair. Bigger is always better as long as temperature and humidity can be adequately maintained.
My group of 5 skinks live on a network of ceiling suspended branches criss-crossing an approx 10' x 14' room.
I have provided them with a 4' x 2' platform on each side of the room to climb down to at feeding time. This is also where the water dishes are kept.
The hanging branch "super highway" is covered with realistic looking artificial plants as they kept eating all the real ones. I have also provided numerous hollows and
hiding places for them as they rarely are active during the day and seem to prefer sleeping as opposed to any other activity.
Nighttime, however, is a completely different story. Shortly after the lights are out, they seem to take on a new personality. Half climbing, half sliding, they manueveur about the branches and truly earn the name "Monkey Skinks".
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| What are you looking at? |
The room itself is kept at a fairly steady day time temp of 84 degrees. Basking spots are provided but rarely used. Humidity is maintained at 65-70% using an inexpensive Honeywell humidifier.
At night the temperature is reduced to 75 degrees and the humidity falls as well. I do make a point to spray them all down before I go to bed at night. I have yet to install full spectrum lighting although it is something I plan to do in the near future
I doubt very much that it is necessary for them because of their nocturnal habits, but it can't surely can't hurt. I have housed them outside in the past and it was as if their liking for the sun equalled that of a vampires'.
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Here's the old
male preparing for
another
night on the prowl |
My group consists of what I belive to be two males and three females. The males are both adults, one appearing to be a very old specimen who I think may be past his breeding years. Nevertheless,
he has an outstanding passive personality and will remain a member of my collection. The other male is completely opposite. He is definitely breeding size, but young and spry. He chases the females around to the point where I'm wondering if he's causing them too much undo stress.
He will also outright attack the other male unmercifully to the point of drawing blood. Luckily, their habitat is large enough so he can be avoided temporarily by any other member of the group. If he becomes too rowdy, I have created a barrier made from a high tech cardboard pizza box top that can be placed around any specific branch in order to segregate him from the rest of the group.
As far as his breeding capabilties, I've never seen one with more enthusiasm about his intended role.
Of the three females, two are breeding size and the other has some growing left to do. She was a feeble baby and didn't have much of an appetite. She seems to be getting spunkier with age and and is developing a healthy appetite although she now undersized for her age. Both of the smaller females are approx. two years old while the biggest of the three must be at least 5-6 years old. That's a guess as I have only recently aquired her.
She supposedly is a several year captive and has been seen copulating by the person I purchased her from. From the quality and stunning appearance of his other skinks, including his captive born offspring, I have no reason to doubt him.
Unfortunately, there is very little information available on these animals. Sexing seems to be a crapshoot and I have found no consistent method published online or in books. Everybody seems to have their own opinions.
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| Lucy's favorite time of day. Chow Time! |
It is possible to evert, or "pop", the hemipenes on some males. This should only be done by an experienced herpetoculturists as massive trauma to the sexual organs
can result if done incorrectly. I was able to "pop" my larger more passive male with relative ease. The small, territorial male was again a different story. I was unable to evert the hemipenes
as he must have been holding them in tightly. I really didn't feel the need to force them out as I can assume from his hostile personality that he's a male. I've heard reports of females having territorial qualities but I think this is a bit much. I really believe him to be a male.
I have also probed some of my skinks. This is another practice that should be left only to the most experinced hobbyist.
I've found that the females average probe depth is 6 scales while the males probed closer to 10. I haven't seen any reports of Prehensile Tail Skink probing
so unfortunately I have nothing to compare this to.
All of this is just a collection of my observations and experience. I am not a professional scientist nor do I claim to be.
I have just been mesmorized by these incredible animals since I first encountered them 10 years ago.
