Husbandry and captive reproduction in Carlia ailanpalai (Scincidae)

Published source details McCoid M.J., Henke S.E. & Hensley R.A. (2005) Husbandry and captive reproduction in Carlia ailanpalai (Scincidae). Herpetological Review, 36, 292-293.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

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	Breed reptiles in captivity: Lizards Action Link

Breed reptiles in captivity: Lizards

A replicated, before-and-after study in 1995–1997 in Texas, USA (McCoid et al. 2005) found that captive curious skinks Carlia ailanpalai produced more clutches of eggs when housed in smaller breeding groups and fed with nutrient rich crickets compared to when they were housed as a single group and fed normal crickets. Results were not statistically tested. When skinks were housed as smaller breeding groups (14 lizards in 4 aquaria and 13 lizards in 3 aquaria) and fed nutrient rich crickets, 76 clutches were produced over 7 months and 16 clutches were produced over 4 months. All clutches from these smaller breeding groups hatched successfully, though hatchlings from one clutch had physical deformities. When 14 skinks were housed in a single aquarium and fed with normal crickets, three clutches of eggs were produced in nine months, one of which hatched successfully. In 1995, eight female and 6 male skinks were received from Guam, Mariana Islands. Skinks were housed in 75 litre aquaria with a substrate of sand or sand and potting soil. Temperatures ranged from 20–32°C, though basking spots at 55°C were available in the aquaria used for smaller breeding groups. Humidity ranged from 60–90%. Nutrient rich crickets were created by feeding crickets with powdered T-Rex® Calcium Plus cricket food.

(Summarised by: William Morgan)