The Amazing Emerald Tree Skink

  • A small green lizard climbing on a weathered wooden log inside a terrarium with green plants.

    General Information

    Learn more about this incredible little lizard!

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  • Green lizard resting on a piece of wood inside a terrarium with a dark bark background.

    Care Guide

    Find out what Emerald Tree Skinks need to be happy & healthy!

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  • A small green lizard on a piece of wood in a terrarium with natural elements like driftwood, bark, and dried moss.

    Our Breeding Program

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What is an Emerald Tree Skink?

Emerald Tree Skinks (Lamprolepis smaragdina)

The Emerald Tree Skink is a vibrant and agile lizard native to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Named for its striking green coloration, this arboreal species is known for its sleek body, long tail, and curious, intelligent behavior. Adults typically reach 8–10 inches in length, with slender limbs and sharp claws well-adapted for climbing.

These skinks inhabit tropical forests and coastal areas, where they spend most of their time in trees, basking in sunlight or foraging for insects and fruit. In captivity, they thrive in vertically oriented enclosures with plenty of branches, foliage, and hiding spots that mimic their natural environment.

Emerald Tree Skinks are highly active and social reptiles that can display fascinating behaviors, especially when housed in groups (ideally with proper space and monitoring). While they may be a bit shy at first, with consistent handling and a calm environment, they can become quite interactive and bold.

Known for their intelligence and speed, Emerald Tree Skinks require a well-maintained environment with warm temperatures, high humidity, and UVB lighting to stay healthy. Their diet should include a variety of live insects, supplemented with occasional fruits and calcium/vitamin dusting.

With their dazzling appearance and energetic personality, Emerald Tree Skinks make rewarding pets for intermediate to experienced reptile keepers who are prepared to meet their environmental and behavioral needs.

Chart showing skink in colonies, with labels indicating breeder location, sex, and age group.
Indoor tropical terrarium with various green plants, colorful leaves, pink flowers, and a small water feature.
A green lizard on a piece of weathered wood inside a terrarium with green plants and rocks.
Various tropical and terrestrial plants within an enclosed terrarium, with rocks, driftwood, moss, and small pebbles.
Three green lizards resting on a tree branch with green leaves and fern in the background.

Emerald Tree Skink Care Guide!

🔹 BASIC OVERVIEW

  • Scientific Name: Lamprolepis smaragdina

  • Common Name: Emerald Tree Skink

  • Adult Size: 8–10 inches (including tail)

  • Lifespan: 7–12 years (in captivity with proper care)

  • Temperament: Alert, active, can become tame with regular interaction

  • Difficulty: Intermediate

🏠 ENCLOSURE

Size

  • Minimum: 18x18x36" (for one adult)

  • Ideal: 24x18x36" or larger (especially for a pair or trio)

  • Type: Vertical space is essential — use tall, front-opening enclosures like Exo Terra or Zoo Med.

Material

  • Glass or PVC enclosures are ideal for humidity retention and visibility.

Substrate

  • Best Options:

    • Coconut fiber (Eco Earth)

    • Reptisoil

    • Organic topsoil mixed with sphagnum moss

  • Depth: at least 2–4 inches to allow burrowing and maintain humidity

  • Spot-clean: Daily

  • Full replacement: Every 1–2 months unless you are going with a bioactive setup

Furnishings

  • Branches and vines for climbing (critical)

  • Vertical cork bark or bamboo

  • Live or fake plants (pothos, philodendron, bromeliads)

  • Leaf litter for enrichment and hiding

  • Hide spots at different heights

🌡️ TEMPERATURE & LIGHTING

Temperature Gradient

  • Basking spot: 90–95°F (32–35°C)

  • Ambient/daytime: 75–85°F (24–29°C)

  • Nighttime: Can drop to 70–75°F (21–24°C)

  • Use an overhead basking bulb; avoid heat rocks.

Lighting

  • UVB Required: Yes (they are diurnal and benefit from UVB)

    • Use a 5.0 UVB bulb (T5 HO preferred) across half the enclosure.

  • Provide 12 hours of light per day.

Humidity

  • Optimal range: 60–80%

  • Mist 1–2x daily or use an automatic misting system

  • Ensure good airflow to prevent mold and respiratory issues

🥬 DIET

Type

Omnivorous — mainly insectivorous, but some plant/fruit matter is appreciated.

Staples

  • Crickets

  • Dubia roaches

  • Silkworms

  • Mealworms (in moderation)

  • Black soldier fly larvae

Occasional

  • Waxworms (treats only)

  • Soft fruits: papaya, mango, banana, berries (small amounts)

  • Repashy or Pangea crested gecko diet (fruit mixes)

Supplements

  • Calcium with D3: 2–3 times/week

  • Calcium without D3: Lightly at most feedings

  • Multivitamin: Once a week

💧 WATER & HYDRATION

  • Provide a shallow water dish or running water feature

  • Misting also allows them to drink from leaves

  • Monitor hydration — wrinkled skin or sunken eyes may indicate dehydration

🦎 HANDLING & BEHAVIOR

  • Temperament: Fast, alert, intelligent — not aggressive but shy at first

  • Handling Tips:

    • Avoid grabbing from above (predator-like behavior)

    • Use slow, gentle movements

    • Hand-feed to build trust

  • With time, they can become very interactive and even curious about their keeper

🧬 SEXING & BREEDING

  • Males: Slightly larger, broader heads, sometimes visible femoral pores once mature

  • Females: More slender

  • Breeding:

    • Can be bred in captivity

    • Females lay small clutches (1–2 eggs)

    • Provide moist hide or laying box if not using a bioactive habitat

    • Incubate at 80–84°F (27–29°C); hatch in ~60–70 days

🧼 MAINTENANCE & HEALTH

Daily

  • Check temperature and humidity

  • Spot-clean waste

  • Observe for any signs of stress or illness

  • Clean water dish unless you have a running water feature

Weekly

  • Deep misting or fogging

  • Inspect plants and branches

Common Health Issues

  • Dehydration: Prevent with proper humidity and misting

  • Nutritional deficiencies: Use supplements and a varied diet

  • Parasites: Wild-caught individuals especially prone — quarantine and vet check recommended

  • Mouth rot, skin infections: Watch for swelling, discolored patches

✅ TIPS FOR SUCCESS

  • Provide lots of vertical climbing space and dense foliage

  • Avoid overhandling early on; build trust slowly

  • Keep day/night cycle consistent

  • Always gut-load feeder insects

  • Use bioactive setups if possible for easier maintenance and enrichment

Indoor terrarium with various green plants, a small waterfall, and driftwood.
Two green lizards resting on a branch in a terrarium with plants.
Indoor terrarium with various green plants, moss, rocks, and driftwood, with horizontal blinds in the background.
Four green lizards resting on a tree branch with a small black container and some green plants in a terrarium.
A diverse collection of indoor tropical plants and foliage arranged around a small artificial waterfall with water flowing over a dark textured surface, set against a brick backdrop.
A person's hand with a small green lizard resting on the back, surrounded by green plants.
Indoor terrarium with various green plants, moss, rocks, and driftwood.
Two green lizards on a tree trunk in a lush, natural environment.

Our Emerald Tree Skink Breeding Program

Where Ethics Meet Excellence

At Terra Nova Reptiles, we are proud to run one of the few ethical, captive-bred Emerald Tree Skink (Lamprolepis smaragdina) programs in the country. Our mission is simple: to promote responsible reptile keeping, reduce pressure on wild populations, and offer healthy, socialized skinks to passionate keepers and conservation-minded individuals.

We believe education is key to responsible reptile keeping. Visit our Care Guide page for everything you need to know about housing, feeding, and handling Emerald Tree Skinks.

For direct inquiries or setup consultations, feel free to Contact Us — we’re always happy to help.

  • Emerald Tree Skinks are still commonly imported from the wild, often under stressful conditions that compromise their health and contribute to habitat depletion. We believe in a better way forward.

    By breeding this species responsibly in captivity, we:

    • Protect wild populations from overharvesting

    • Ensure skinks are acclimated to life in human care

    • Deliver animals with stronger immune systems and stable temperaments

    • Promote education, conservation, and species appreciation

  • We focus on small-scale, high-quality breeding with a deep respect for animal welfare.

    ✅ Selective Pairing

    We carefully select breeding pairs based on health, temperament, and genetic diversity. Our skinks are never line-bred or overbred, ensuring robust and healthy offspring.

    ✅ Spacious, Enriched Environments

    Each breeding group is housed in large, naturalistic enclosures with:

    • Live plants and climbing structures

    • Natural substrate and leaf litter

    • Vertical space for true arboreal behaviors

    • UVB and full-spectrum lighting

    • Controlled temperature and humidity zones

    This setup allows skinks to express natural behaviors such as basking, climbing, digging, and even courtship displays — all signs of well-being.

    ✅ Bioactive Setups

    All enclosures are bioactive, supporting sustainability and reducing stress on the animals. Clean-up crews (isopods and springtails) help maintain cleanliness naturally.

    ✅ Ethical Egg Collection

    We provide nesting sites that mimic the skinks' wild laying preferences. Eggs are gently collected and incubated in controlled conditions that ensure high hatch rates and healthy neonates.

  • Emerald Tree Skink hatchlings are raised in small-group enclosures to promote safety and reduce competition. From the moment they hatch, our skinks are:

    • Fed a varied, gut-loaded insect diet with appropriate supplementation

    • Exposed to UVB and basking cycles

    • Hand-fed and gently interacted with to build trust

    • Monitored closely for growth, development, and behavior

    We do not rush the process. Only when a skink is strong, active, and well-adjusted do we make it available for adoption or sale.

  • We never sell to mass distributors, flippers, or chain pet stores. Our skinks go only to experienced keepers or those willing to learn and commit to high standards of care. We offer:

    • Pre-purchase screening to ensure appropriate setups

    • Lifetime support for every skink we place

    • Educational resources, care guides, and setup consultations

  • We actively collaborate with educators, zoos, and conservation groups to raise awareness of Emerald Tree Skinks and their ecosystems. A portion of our proceeds supports:

    • Reptile rescue and rehab

    • Habitat preservation projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands

    • Local school and outreach programs that promote responsible herpetoculture

    • We have options for shipping in Canada, the US and Europe. Please note that we only use courier services with a proven track record of safe live-animal handling. All shipping is done at purchasers expense.

    • Live Arrival Guarantee included

    • Local pickup is welcome by appointment

    To view current availability or get on our waiting list, click here.