Do Skinks Hibernate? A Detailed Look At Skink Hibernation

With cold weather approaching, you may be wondering if your pet skink will hibernate like some other reptiles. Skinks are a diverse group of lizards found all around the world, so whether or not they hibernate depends on the specific species.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Some skink species do hibernate, while others remain active year-round or go through short periods of dormancy. The hibernation behavior depends on the climate the skink species has adapted to.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll look at skink hibernation in more detail. We’ll cover which species hibernate, how they prepare for and go through hibernation, what to do for a captive skink in winter, and more.

An Overview of Skink Species and Where They Live

Skinks Around the World

Skinks are a diverse group of lizards found on every continent except Antarctica. There are over 1,500 described species of skinks, making them one of the largest lizard families in the world. Skinks inhabit a variety of ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, deserts, and even urban areas.

Some of the most common places to find skinks include Australia, home to around 394 species, Africa with over 285 species, and Southeast Asia which hosts 183 skink species. Skinks can thrive in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates due to their adaptability.

Several characteristics help skinks succeed across environments. Most species have small, streamlined bodies that allow them to hide in burrows and crevices. Their scales and plates provide protection and help them move quickly.

Some larger skinks even have strong jaws and sharp teeth for hunting prey.

Common Pet Skink Species

Skinks are popular exotic pets due to their small size, unique appearances, and relatively easy care compared to other reptiles. Some of the most common skink species kept as pets include:

• Blue-tongued skinks – Docile, omnivorous skinks from Australia with trademark bright blue tongues.
• African fire skinks – Tiny reddish skinks with black and white stripes known for their large litters of live babies.
• Prehensile-tailed skinks – Arboreal species with partly prehensile tails from New Guinea.

When selecting skinks as pets it’s vital to research their specific care needs, as requirements can vary significantly across the diverse skink families. With proper housing, temperature regulation, hydration, nutrition, and handling technique, most species do quite well in captivity.

Skink Species That Hibernate

Blue-Tongued Skinks

The blue-tongued skink is one of the most popular pet skinks, recognizable by its large size and bright blue tongue. While they are native to Australia, blue-tongued skinks have become popular exotic pets around the world.

In the wild, blue-tongued skinks live in a variety of habitats and climates across Australia. Their hibernation habits depend on the climate of their local environment.

In southern Australia, where winters are relatively mild, blue-tongued skinks may not hibernate at all. However, in cooler climates, they will burrow underground and become inactive for the winter months. Blue-tongued skinks can hibernate for up to eight months in colder regions!

Before hibernating, blue-tongued skinks will eat ravenously to store fat reserves. They dig burrows up to six feet deep and curl up underground. Their metabolism slows down dramatically. While hibernating, they can go months without eating or drinking.

Amazingly, they emerge from hibernation healthy and ready to be active again when spring arrives.

Northern Five-Lined Skinks

The northern five-lined skink is a small ground-dwelling lizard native to North America. They are very common across the eastern and central United States and can adapt to a wide range of habitats. Their hibernation habits vary depending on climate.

In southern areas, five-lined skinks may be active year-round if winters remain mild. But across most of their range, they hibernate underground from late fall through early spring. When winter approaches, five-lined skinks dig burrows up to 18 inches deep in soil, rotting logs, or loose rocks.

Here, they remain inactive for up to six months until temperatures warm in spring. Their heart rate and metabolism slow down dramatically while hibernating. They emerge hungry and ready to bask in the sun when conditions improve!

Broad-Headed Skinks

The broad-headed skink is a large, stocky skink species found in Australia. They are ground-dwellers that live in forests and woodlands. As a reptile native to a warm climate, the broad-headed skink does not handle cold well. But some populations in higher, cooler areas still hibernate.

Broad-headed skinks near Sydney hibernate over winter. When cold weather arrives, they dig burrows up to 16 inches underground. Here, they remain inactive for up to five months. Further north, near Brisbane, winters remain too warm for them to hibernate.

Interestingly, females may NOT hibernate in the southern portion of their range. They remain active to gestate and give birth to live young during winter. Only the males seem to hibernate. The broad-headed skink shows fascinating variation in hibernation across its range!

Preparing for Hibernation

Fat Storage

As cold weather approaches in the fall, skinks start preparing for hibernation by eating as much as possible to store up fat reserves. This fat will sustain them through the winter while they are inactive.

Skinks that live in temperate climates will eat insects, snails, berries, seeds, and vegetation to fatten up before winter. Some skinks can double their body weight in the weeks leading up to hibernation! The extra fat contains energy that their body can slowly metabolize to get through the winter.

Certain skink species also store fat in their tails specifically for hibernation. For example, the blue-tongued skink’s tail can account for up to one-third of its total body weight before hibernation. Amazingly, their tail width may increase by 50% in the autumn due to large fat deposits.

The fat-filled tail acts as an energy reserve that can sustain the skink through long periods of winter dormancy when food is scarce.

Burrow Construction

Skinks will also spend time before winter searching for an appropriate hibernaculum – a shelter where they can hibernate safely through the coldest months. Many species burrow underground or find refuge in rotting logs, rock crevices, or abandoned animal burrows.

For skinks that construct their own winter burrows, they work hard digging chambers below the frost line where temperatures will be stable. The blue-tongued skink is one species known for excavating burrows up to 16 inches deep for hibernating.

Constructing a proper winter shelter is crucial for skinks to survive the extremes of winter.

Some key features skinks look for in a hibernation burrow include:

– Below the frost line to prevent freezing

– Insulated chamber to maintain above-freezing temperatures

– Tunnel system for easy entry/exit

– Hidden from predators

By intentionally selecting or constructing a burrow that buffers them from the cold, skinks increase their chances of surviving hibernation through the winter.

The Hibernation Process

Brumation vs. Hibernation

Many reptiles exhibit brumation behavior, which is like hibernation in mammals. Brumation and hibernation both involve periods of decreased activity and metabolic rate. However, there are some key differences:

• Brumation is not as deep of a sleep as true hibernation. Reptiles in brumation can still wake up occasionally.
• Brumation is triggered by changes in day length, while hibernation is triggered by cold temperatures.
• Reptiles may not eat at all during brumation, but hibernating mammals will eat and store up fat before hibernating.

Hibernaculum Conditions

Skinks that live in cold climates will hibernate in a hibernaculum, which is a shelter, like a burrow, crevice, or rock pile, that protects them from the elements and freezing temperatures. Ideal hibernaculum conditions include:

• Stable temperatures slightly above freezing – around 37-50°F (3-10°C).
• High humidity between 80-100% to prevent desiccation.
• Insulation from temperature fluctuations outside.
• Protection from predators and external environment.

By hibernating in an insulated, humid shelter, skinks can maintain their body temperatures and moisture levels throughout the winter months.

Physiological Changes

During hibernation, skinks undergo an incredible slowing of their physiology and metabolism in order to conserve energy:

• Their heart rate drops from around 60 bpm to just 2-3 bpm.
• Breathing rate declines to just a breath every few minutes.
• Body temperature can drop as low as 37°F (3°C).
• Metabolic rate decreases up to 95%.

These changes allow skinks to survive for months without eating. Their bodies essentially shut down non-essential functions. Fat stores accumulated prior to hibernation provide energy. Hormones regulate the transition in and out of hibernation. Truly an amazing adaptation for surviving cold winters!

Caring for Captive Skinks in Winter

Offer Brumation

In the wild, skinks will naturally go into a hibernation-like state called brumation during the winter months. This helps them conserve energy when food is scarce. As a skink owner, it’s important to give your pet the option of brumation by providing a cool and dark hiding area in their habitat.

The ideal brumation temperature is around 60-65°F. Be sure to provide a thermal gradient so they can choose to come out and bask if needed. Their brumation may last anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the species.

Maintain Proper Habitat

Even during brumation, proper habitat is essential. Ensure your skink has access to a water dish and loose, humidity-retaining substrate. Spot clean any waste to prevent bacterial or fungal growth. Providing a clean and comfortable habitat will allow your skink to rest peacefully through the winter season.

Watch for Complications

While brumation is natural, you should still monitor your skink closely. Look for signs of dehydration, weight loss, or lack of responsiveness. If you have concerns, gently examine them and provide supportive care like warm baths, fluids, or a vet visit. Catching issues early is key.

Most captive skinks brumate without problems when given proper habitat. But complications can happen, so attentive care is important.

Conclusion

While not all skinks hibernate, many cold-climate species like blue-tongues and five-lined skinks do undergo winter dormancy. They prepare by building up fat stores and burrows, then experience reduced metabolism and activity levels during hibernation.

If you have a captive skink, research its natural hibernation behaviors and try to mimic seasonal changes in its enclosure. With proper habitat and care, most pet skinks can safely sleep through the winter.