Ocellated skink care is a great match for keepers who want an active, curious lizard that stays small. The ocellated skink (Chalcides ocellatus) is a shiny, spotted skink found across North Africa, including Egypt, around the Mediterranean and into the Middle East. It gives birth to live young and spends much of its day half-buried in loose substrate. This guide covers enclosure size, temperatures, UVB, diet and handling.
Ocellated Skink (Chalcides ocellatus) at a Glance
- Scientific name: Chalcides ocellatus (family Scincidae)
- Native range: North Africa (including Egypt), southern Europe and the Middle East
- Adult size: about 15–30 cm total length, depending on the population
- Lifespan: about 10–20 years in captivity
- Activity: diurnal and semi-fossorial (likes to burrow)
- Reproduction: viviparous — females give birth to live babies
- CITES: not listed
Enclosure Size and Setup
One adult needs at least 75 × 30 × 30 cm (30 × 12 × 12 in); 90 × 45 × 30 cm is better. Floor space matters more than height. Add roughly 1,300 cm² of extra floor space for each additional skink, and never house two males together — they fight, especially in breeding season.
- Substrate: a deep, diggable mix of sand and soil so the skink can burrow
- Hides: flat stones, cork bark and at least one hide on each side
- Basking spot: a flat stone under the heat lamp
- Lid: secure mesh lid; feeder insects escape easily
Our desert reptile terrarium guide shows a full build you can adapt.
Temperature, Humidity and UVB
- Basking area: about 35–38 °C (95–100 °F)
- Cool side: about 22–26 °C (72–78 °F)
- Night: heat off; a normal room-temperature drop is fine
- Humidity: 40–60%; slightly damp substrate deeper down helps shedding
- UVB: a T5 HO desert or forest UVB tube giving a UV index of about 3–4 in the basking area, 12 hours a day
Diet and Feeding
Ocellated skinks are mainly insectivores that also take a little plant matter or fruit.
- Staple insects: crickets, dubia roaches, black soldier fly larvae, small mealworms and silkworms
- Extras: very small amounts of fruit or leafy greens now and then
- Feeding: juveniles daily; adults every 2–3 days, adjusted to body condition
- Supplements: calcium on most feedings and a reptile multivitamin about once a week
- Water: a shallow, clean water dish at all times
Handling and Temperament
These skinks are lively and curious but often don’t enjoy being held. Let them settle, handle them low over the ground, and never grab the tail — it can drop off.
Common Health Problems
- Metabolic bone disease: from too little UVB or calcium
- Stuck shed: when the substrate is completely dry
- Injuries: from fighting when males are kept together
- Obesity: from too many fatty worms
Buying an Ocellated Skink
Chalcides ocellatus is not listed in CITES, but exports from Egypt still need official permits and a veterinary certificate, and your country’s import rules apply. See our lizards, the full list of reptiles of Egypt, our shipping policy, or contact us on WhatsApp about availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do ocellated skinks lay eggs?
No. Chalcides ocellatus is viviparous: females give birth to live young.
How big do ocellated skinks get?
Most adults are about 15–30 cm long including the tail, depending on where they come from.
What is the scientific name of the ocellated skink?
Its scientific name is Chalcides ocellatus.
