Feeding Your Skink
Skinks have different nutritional needs depending on their age and the time of year. When babies are born, they are fed a diet of mostly protein. Within a week or so, minced vegetables are added. At four – six weeks old, they should start eating a variety of proteins and vegetables. By the time you receive your baby from us, it will have been started on most or all of the foods listed below. Fruit can be added to their diet in very small amounts at about 3 months of age. It’s not an exact science, but here are some guidelines for you to follow:
Newborn – 6 weeks old 90% protein 10% vegetables
6 weeks – 3 months old 70% protein 30% vegetables
3 – 7 months old 50% protein 40% vegetables 10% fruit
8 – 12 months old 40% protein 50% vegetables 10% fruit
Adult skinks 30% protein 60% vegetables 10% fruit (Brumating skinks require mostly protein when they eat.)
Regardless of age, it is imperative that you add calcium with Vitamin D to their food. Skinks will develop metabolic bone disease without it, which can be a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal condition.
When to feed:
up to 3 months ~ Daily to every 2 days 1 to 2 teaspoons
3 to 8 months ~ Every 2 to 5 days 1 to 2 tablespoons
over 8 months 1 to 2 times per week 1 to 2 tablespoons
Notes: They have slow metabolisms and do not need as much food as a mammal. They will not necessarily eat the recommended amounts. If a skink is healthy and not eating or only picking out favorites, it might be overfed - a picky skink is not a hungry skink.
What to feed:
Greens and veggies should make up approximately 50% of the adult diet and approximately 40% of the juvenile diet.
Arugula Rocket Frequently
Basil Occasional / Treat Good for flavor, can entice picky eaters to eat. Good source of vitamin K.
Beet greens Frequently
Bok Choy In Moderation
Chicory Greens In Moderation
Collard Greens Frequently
Dandelion Greens Frequently
Endive, Belgian Frequently
Escarole Endive Frequently
Kale Occasional
Mustard Greens Frequently
Turnip Greens Frequently
Watercress Frequently
Asparagus Occasional
Beets Occasional
Borage Frequently
Brussels Sprouts Occasional
Cactus Pad/Leaf Frequently
Cactus Pear (Prickly Pear) Frequently
Carrots Occasional
Corn Occasional
Cucumber Occasional
Green Beans Frequently
Green Peas In Moderation
Green Peas (snap pea and pod) In Moderation
Okra Occasional
Parsley Occasional
Parsnips In Moderation
Potato, sweet Occasional
Pumpkin Occasional
Rutabaga Occasional
Squash, Acorn Frequently
Squash, Butternut/Winter Butternut pumpkin Frequently
Squash, Hubbard Frequently
Squash, Scallop Frequently
Squash, Spaghetti Frequently
Squash, Summer Frequently
Turnip Occasional
Yams In Moderation
Yucca root Occasional
Zucchini Occasional
Fruit should be a treat (even healthy fruits!) and not more than 10% of the diet. Fruit is generally high in phosphorus.
Apple Occasional
Apricot Occasional
Bananas Occasional
Blackberries Occasional
Blueberries Occasional
Cantaloupe Occasional
Cherries Occasional
Cranberries Occasional
Fig In Moderation
Grapes Occasional
Guava Occasional
Honeydew Occasional
Kiwi Occasional
Mango In Moderation
Nectarines Occasional
Papaya In Moderation
Peaches Occasional
Pear Occasional
Pineapple Occasional
Plums Occasional
Pomegranate Occasional
Raspberries In Moderation
Star fruit Occasional
Strawberries Occasional
Watermelon Occasional
Meat / Protein
Protein should be approximately 40% of the adult diet and 50% or more of the juvenile diet.
Beef - lean, ground In Moderation
Chicken - breast (cooked) In Moderation Typically boiled.
Chicken - liver / heart (cooked) In Moderation Typically boiled
Dubias Frequently
Dog food (canned) Frequently See specific brand's website for nutritional information and ingredients. Many people use this as a staple protein source.
Egg In Moderation Can be fed raw, boiled etc.
Horn worm Tomato worm Frequently
Mealworm Occasional
Pinky mouse Occasional High in fat
Silkworm Frequently
Snails Frequently Wild snails can carry parasites or may have been exposed to toxins. Be sure to detox before feeding.
Superworms In Moderation
Waxworms In Moderation
Newborn – 6 weeks old 90% protein 10% vegetables
6 weeks – 3 months old 70% protein 30% vegetables
3 – 7 months old 50% protein 40% vegetables 10% fruit
8 – 12 months old 40% protein 50% vegetables 10% fruit
Adult skinks 30% protein 60% vegetables 10% fruit (Brumating skinks require mostly protein when they eat.)
Regardless of age, it is imperative that you add calcium with Vitamin D to their food. Skinks will develop metabolic bone disease without it, which can be a painful, debilitating, and sometimes fatal condition.
When to feed:
up to 3 months ~ Daily to every 2 days 1 to 2 teaspoons
3 to 8 months ~ Every 2 to 5 days 1 to 2 tablespoons
over 8 months 1 to 2 times per week 1 to 2 tablespoons
Notes: They have slow metabolisms and do not need as much food as a mammal. They will not necessarily eat the recommended amounts. If a skink is healthy and not eating or only picking out favorites, it might be overfed - a picky skink is not a hungry skink.
What to feed:
Greens and veggies should make up approximately 50% of the adult diet and approximately 40% of the juvenile diet.
Arugula Rocket Frequently
Basil Occasional / Treat Good for flavor, can entice picky eaters to eat. Good source of vitamin K.
Beet greens Frequently
Bok Choy In Moderation
Chicory Greens In Moderation
Collard Greens Frequently
Dandelion Greens Frequently
Endive, Belgian Frequently
Escarole Endive Frequently
Kale Occasional
Mustard Greens Frequently
Turnip Greens Frequently
Watercress Frequently
Asparagus Occasional
Beets Occasional
Borage Frequently
Brussels Sprouts Occasional
Cactus Pad/Leaf Frequently
Cactus Pear (Prickly Pear) Frequently
Carrots Occasional
Corn Occasional
Cucumber Occasional
Green Beans Frequently
Green Peas In Moderation
Green Peas (snap pea and pod) In Moderation
Okra Occasional
Parsley Occasional
Parsnips In Moderation
Potato, sweet Occasional
Pumpkin Occasional
Rutabaga Occasional
Squash, Acorn Frequently
Squash, Butternut/Winter Butternut pumpkin Frequently
Squash, Hubbard Frequently
Squash, Scallop Frequently
Squash, Spaghetti Frequently
Squash, Summer Frequently
Turnip Occasional
Yams In Moderation
Yucca root Occasional
Zucchini Occasional
Fruit should be a treat (even healthy fruits!) and not more than 10% of the diet. Fruit is generally high in phosphorus.
Apple Occasional
Apricot Occasional
Bananas Occasional
Blackberries Occasional
Blueberries Occasional
Cantaloupe Occasional
Cherries Occasional
Cranberries Occasional
Fig In Moderation
Grapes Occasional
Guava Occasional
Honeydew Occasional
Kiwi Occasional
Mango In Moderation
Nectarines Occasional
Papaya In Moderation
Peaches Occasional
Pear Occasional
Pineapple Occasional
Plums Occasional
Pomegranate Occasional
Raspberries In Moderation
Star fruit Occasional
Strawberries Occasional
Watermelon Occasional
Meat / Protein
Protein should be approximately 40% of the adult diet and 50% or more of the juvenile diet.
Beef - lean, ground In Moderation
Chicken - breast (cooked) In Moderation Typically boiled.
Chicken - liver / heart (cooked) In Moderation Typically boiled
Dubias Frequently
Dog food (canned) Frequently See specific brand's website for nutritional information and ingredients. Many people use this as a staple protein source.
Egg In Moderation Can be fed raw, boiled etc.
Horn worm Tomato worm Frequently
Mealworm Occasional
Pinky mouse Occasional High in fat
Silkworm Frequently
Snails Frequently Wild snails can carry parasites or may have been exposed to toxins. Be sure to detox before feeding.
Superworms In Moderation
Waxworms In Moderation
Suggestions for keeping protein on hand
· Freeze chicken liver on a cookie sheet and place in plastic bag until ready to use.
· Roll hamburger into meatball sized balls, cover with saran wrap, and freeze.
· Cut chicken breast into portion sized chunks. Freeze until ready to use.
· Buy canned chicken breast in water to have on hand when you are out of other things.
GOOD VEGETABLE OPTIONS
Kale Collard Greens Dandilion Greens Bell Peppers Pumpkin
Green Beans Squash (all) Escarole Bok Choy Mustard Greens
Beet Greens Carrots Celery Corn Endive
Cucumber mushrooms Peas Tomatoes Flowers - Hibiscus, dandelion, etc...
Mince or finely chop veggies and mix in with protein. Otherwise, your skink will tend to pick around them and go for the good stuff.
NEVER FEED THE FOLLOWING TO YOUR SKINK:
Avocado, onions, rhubarb, lettuce, spinach