All species
reptileintermediate
Fire Skink
Riopa fernandi
A jewel-toned burrower — flame-orange sides under glossy bronze — that spends most of its life underground.
14–15 in10–15 years
Habitat
Enclosure
30–40 gal with deep substrate
Temperature
Basking 90–95°F · ambient 75–85°F
Humidity / Water
60–70%, with moist deep substrate
Heating & lighting
Halogen basking zone plus low UVB overhead. The key ingredient is 4–6 in of damp, loose substrate — they're diggers, not climbers.
Diet
Feed these
- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Earthworms
- Snails
- Occasional mashed fruit
Never feed
- Mealworms as a staple (chitin)
- Wild-caught insects
- Dog or cat food
- Dry, shallow enclosures
Insectivores: feed every other day, dusted with calcium + D3. Bold eaters once settled — most owners simply rarely see them between meals.
Cohabitation
Can live with
No one — house this species alone.
Never house with
Other fire skinks — territorial Any different species
House alone. Deep substrate and heavy cover turn a shy burrower into a regular sight at feeding time.
