Schneider's skinks!

[Grimli]

So. For the past few months, I had been gearing up to get myself a Bluey. As it so happens, I came across an ad for a pair of Schneider's needing to be rehomed less than 30 minutes from my house!

Obviously I jumped and went to pick up the two little pumpkins. One came to me in rather rough shape, and after a vet visit (that would have cost more than 3x as much as she did if the clinic hadn't decided to cover her Xrays ) we found she had mild MBD (expected) and her kinked tail actually had a break.

Well, the two have come pretty far already! Both are eating wonderfully <3 I didn't even know of their species' existence up until I saw the ad for them, and I can say right now I am in LOVE.

[splashy07]

Awesome personable little guys. I can’t open the cage without mine running up my arm.

[Manny]

Ran across Splashy's old post on these schneider skinks before I saw your post. Being a nosey type of feller. I asked her about them and have to say they do sound like amazing creatures. I started doing research on them and have to say 100% of the folks who have them are absolutely in love with them. The care sounds fairly straight forward. I'm starting to think if there were more captive bred there is potential for these skinks to explode onto the reptile scene, right from long time enthusiast to novice keeper.

[splashy07]

Very unfortunate that more people are not working with them, more than likely because they are a 20 dollar wholesale item as imports. I was all set to try until my female suddenly passed. In my 40+ years of reptile keeping, I have rarely seen a lizard as personable as this right out of the wild. Absolutely no acclimation period necessary.

[Manny]

I was somewhat shocked when I saw the price on these fellows. The range I've seen so far is roughly $20 - 50 USD. The literature on them is a bit confused though. Some I know is a mix up with the Berber skink (algierensis),hope I spelled that right. Not sure if any of the other sub species are adding to some of the confusion. I am actively trying to find some breeders at this point as I have more questionss. I am potentially looking at this species, if my plans for a BTS and/or PTS fall through. I see it as an opportunity to give back to the community if I am able to breed them. Them being a personable and active lizard is just icing on the cake.

[splashy07]

True Berber skinks are all but non existant here in the US. I've seen them one time in person at my friend's shop. They are larger and not at all as personable as their cousins, the Schnieder's. Many times Schneider's are labelled as Berber's which is incorrect. A true Berber's would more than likely cost you more than an BTS.

[Manny]

I read about the True Berbers not being as personable as the Schneiders. The price I saw listed was roughly $300 USD. I believe that quote was several years old. I suspect with their primary country of Exportation shutting down exports. The price has probably doubled or tripled. There seem to be some floating around in Europe and I believe TC Houston has some in the states. I have no interest in the true berbers at this point.

A lot of my interest in the Schneiders, is that they are personable, what I have read/learned on husbandry seems straight forward and easy to learn. they adjust their routine dependant on the enviroment (light/heat) going from diurnal to crepuscular. They are a nice looking skink. If the interest in breeding these goes up. I could easily see them as being a recommended for new reptile owners. I also know that even if this is the route I take. I wouldn't make an impact on WC vs CB for them. It would take several well established reputable breeders to get the ball rolling. As well getting the word out there about them.

It is definitely a potential option for me. Ugh my enclosure has been delayed again, almost 4 months since I ordered it. Sounds like some of their supply chain has been disrupted due to Covid. So understandable. Weather is getting too unpredictable now for shipping reptiles anyways, at least to here.