Monkey Tailed Skink Care, Price, Housing, Diet & Facts

An Introduction to the Monkey Tailed Skink

The monkey tailed skink, also known as the Solomon Island skink or Corucia zebrata, is a fascinating and unique lizard hailing from the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. These skinks are known for their bright green coloration, prehensile tails, and arboreal nature. They have recently gained popularity as unique and interactive pets. But what exactly are monkey tailed skinks, what is their care like, and how much do these unusual lizards cost to purchase?

Appearance and Behavior of the Monkey Tailed Skink

As their common name suggests, monkey tailed skinks have long, curved tails that they can wrap around branches. Their tails make up around two-thirds of their total body length. These lizards use their tails for balance and grasping when climbing through trees and vines. Some individuals can reach up to 3 feet in total length from snout to tail tip. Monkey tailed skinks have vibrant green bodies with black bands circling their tails. Their scales are smooth and shiny. They have small heads and long, tapered snouts. Their eyes range from gold to burnt orange in color.

These skinks are diurnal and arboreal, meaning they are active during the day and spend most of their time in trees and tropical vegetation. They are excellent climbers and spend most of their time high up in the canopy searching for food and basking. At night, they will sleep on branches or in tree hollows. Monkey tailed skinks are shy, gentle lizards that will try to flee if threatened. They do not display any aggressive behaviors towards humans and can be handled if done gently and properly.

Native Habitat and Diet of the Monkey Tailed Skink

Monkey tailed skinks are native to the tropical rainforests of the Solomon Islands chain. Here they inhabit dense, humid forests filled with vines, epiphytes, palm trees, and other vegetation. They require very warm, humid environments. This species is arboreal and spends most of its life high up in trees and shrubs. They thrive in areas with plenty of foliage, vines, and branches for climbing and perching.

In the wild, monkey tailed skinks are omnivorous but mostly eat fruit, plant matter, insects, and small invertebrates. They will also occasionally eat eggs and newborn mice if the opportunity arises. Some favorite wild foods include figs, berries, flowers, snails, crickets, cockroaches, moths, and caterpillars. They use their long tongues to reach nectar and lap up water droplets from leaves.

Monkey Tailed Skinks as Pets

In recent years, monkey tailed skinks have become popular exotic pets due to their charming appearance and interesting prehensile tails. Their popularity has been boosted through social media, with many videos of pet skinks being handled and fed fruit going viral. Though they make very intelligent and interactive pets, monkey tailed skinks do have some specialized care requirements.

Monkey tailed skinks thrive at warm temperatures between 75-85°F. They require very high humidity as well, between 75-100%. Vivariums should be densely planted with live or artificial vines, branches, and foliage for climbing and hiding opportunities. Substrates that help boost humidity, like coconut fiber bedding, are recommended. Providing large, sturdy branches and even ropes allows them to fully utilize their prehensile tails.

A balanced diet is also very important for pet skinks. They should be fed a varied diet including chopped fruit, vegetables, live insects, commercial lizard diets, and occasional pinky mice. Some favorite fruits include figs, berries, mango, and papaya. Calcium and vitamin supplements are essential too. Without proper heat, humidity, and nutrition, monkey tailed skinks can quickly develop health issues.

Cost of Monkey Tailed Skinks

The cost of a pet monkey tailed skink ranges between $200-$400 depending on age, color, and location. Babies and juveniles are often at the lower end, while rare color morphs or adults breeders cost more. Their relatively high price tags reflect the challenges of importing exotic species as well as their growing popularity as pets. Reptile expos usually have the widest variety available.

You should expect to spend at least $600+ outfitting a proper monkey tailed skink vivarium too. A large terrarium or custom enclosure is required along with strong UVB lighting, adequate heating, live plants, substrates, and furnishings. High-quality tropical species do best with custom, naturalistic vivariums. This reflects their complex environmental needs.

Challenges of Keeping Monkey Tailed Skinks

While monkey tailed skinks are incredible reptiles, they are not the easiest pets for beginner reptile owners. Their demanding heating, humidity, and diet requirements can prove challenging. Housing for an adult skink can be expensive to set up properly as well. Monkey tailed skinks are prone to stress and can become ill quite easily if their environment is not ideal.

Buying a wild caught specimen comes with additional risks and difficulties regarding acclimation and parasites. Captive bred skinks are highly recommended. Furthermore, monkey tailed skinks have long lifespans of 15-20+ years, so owning one is a long-term commitment. Re-homing these exotic pets can be difficult if you are no longer able to provide proper care.

Why Monkey Tailed Skinks Make Great Pets

For experienced reptile keepers up for the challenge, monkey tailed skinks make incredibly rewarding and interactive pets. Their bright green coloration and unique prehensile tails are sure to impress anyone who sees them. Even people with no reptile experience are fascinated by their abilities. These skinks are very intelligent compared to other lizards and can become quite tame and handleable.

Watching a monkey tailed skink climb around a naturalistic vivarium using their tail is an endless source of fascination. They utilize vertical space incredibly well. These lizards also drink water droplets from hands and eat fruit directly from their owners. With time and regular handling, they become quite comfortable around people. Their omnivorous appetites mean a wide variety of foods can be offered for enrichment.

Conservation Status of the Monkey Tailed Skink

Due to some population decline from habitat loss and overcollection for the pet trade, the monkey tailed skink is currently classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List. They remain abundant across most of their native range but some localized threats exist. Certain Solomon Island populations are protected within nature reserves. Sustainable, captive bred specimens help reduce wild collection pressures.

Anyone looking to own one of these fascinating lizards should ensure they purchase legally captive bred individuals, not wild caught specimens. Supporting reputable captive breeding efforts is the most sustainable way to keep this unique skink species thriving in the pet trade while safeguarding wild populations.

Conclusion

For experienced reptile enthusiasts, the monkey tailed skink can make for an incredibly unique and interactive pet lizard. Though their care and housing requirements are demanding, few reptiles showcase such impressive climbing skills and intelligence. Their vibrant green coloration and prehensile tails are sure to impress. Pricewise, be prepared to spend $200-$400 on the skink itself, and $600+ outfitting an adequate vivarium. With proper care and commitment, monkey tailed skinks can thrive for over 15 years in captivity.

FAQs

How big do monkey tailed skinks get?

Monkey tailed skinks can grow up to 3 feet long from snout to tail tip. Most of their length comes from their extremely long, prehensile tails.

What do monkey tailed skinks eat?

These omnivorous lizards eat a varied diet including fruit, vegetables, live insects, small invertebrates, eggs, mice, and commercial diets. Some favorite fruits are figs, mango, and berries.

How long do monkey tailed skinks live?

In captivity, monkey tailed skinks can live for 15-20 years or more if cared for properly. They are a long-term commitment.

Are monkey tailed skinks easy to care for?

No, monkey tailed skinks have demanding heating, humidity, diet, and housing requirements. They are best suited for experienced reptile owners.

Why are monkey tailed skinks so expensive?

Their high price of $200-$400 reflects the challenges of importing exotic reptiles as well as their growing popularity as unique pets.