White-Eyed Crocodile Skink

Quick sourced reference values. LOCUS Scales' full breeding/genetics toolset is built specifically for ball pythons — this page is a courtesy reference for other species.

Scientific name

Tribolonotus novaeguineae

Native range

Western New Guinea (Irian Jaya) and Papua New Guinea

Lifespan

Wide variability across sources — generally 7-15 years, sometimes up to 20 years reported. No definitive figure established.

Lifestyle

🌍 Terrestrial (light burrower in leaf litter, occasional good swimmer)

Warm side

29°C

Cool side

24°C

Humidity

80%

Often confused with T. gracilis (red-eyed skink, separate entry) — sometimes even mistakenly sold under that name. Distinguished by a small pale orange-yellow patch only at the front of the eye (not a full ring) and keeled scales on the flanks (tubercles in gracilis). Same notable traits as its cousin: vocalizes when distressed, plays dead when handled. ⚠️ Same documented health risk in freshly wild-caught animals (Aeromonas hydrophila) — prioritize a captive-bred animal.

Diet: Insectivore — crickets, dubia roaches, mealworms, snails, earthworms, dusted with calcium 2-3x/week.

Feeding frequency: Adult: 3-4x/week. Juvenile: more frequent, small prey every 1-2 days.

Substrate: Moisture-retaining mix — topsoil/coco fiber (e.g. 60/40), or a full bioactive setup strongly recommended by several sources (springtails, isopods, leaf litter).

UVB: Same debate as its red-eyed cousin — crepuscular species, historically considered optional, but low UVB (Ferguson zone 1) increasingly recommended.

🏠 Enclosure size

Baby : ~12×12×12in

Adult : 90×45×45cm (36×18×18in) minimum, ideally with a water feature large enough to swim in

Common questions

How do I tell it apart from the red-eyed skink at the pet store?

Look closely at the eye: novaeguineae has just a small pale orange-yellow patch at the front of the eye, not a full ring like gracilis (red-eyed skink). The flanks help too — flat keeled scales here, rather than the pointed tubercles of gracilis. Common mix-up at pet stores, worth checking before buying if the exact species matters to you.

Is this a lizard you handle often?

No — same as the red-eyed skink, more an observation species than a frequently-handled one. Stresses easily, may play dead when picked up.

Can I keep two together?

Solo or a carefully managed pair only — never in groups.

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General reference content — does not replace veterinary advice.