Schneiders mate during April-May. About 4-6 weeks from copulation female lays, usually around 1-5 soft-shelled, oval eggs. The eggs are incubated at 28-30 Degrees Celsius (82,4-86 F) for 7-10 weeks. Hatchlings measure about 12 centimetres and shed their skin for the first time after 4 days. After that they will begin feeding. (Milla Honkarinta, 1999)
My Schneider's mated for the first time on 13.4.2002. I had to separate them soon after this, since the female kept attacking the male and was very aggressive. During gestation period female was very lazy most of the time. She laid in her hide box in the warm end, breathed very heavily and ate very little. On 21st of May she laid one egg measuring 3*1,5 centimeters. The egg was laid on open on sand next to the water dish even though they were multiple egg-laying boxes in the enclosure. Unfortunately this very pinkish egg started turning yellow very soon. In a week it was already stinking. The egg was probably infertile.
At 31.3.2003 I noticed for the first time this year that two of my skinks were mating. On 3.5.2003 the female had laid 3 white oval eggs in her sleeping cave on dry sand even though I had again provided egg-laying box filled with moist peat. This wild caught female has been in captivity at least 7 years and was adult when purchased. I bought her this winter along with other female from a Finnish woman who had had them for a quite some time. The eggs are incubated in moist vermiculite in about 29 degrees Celsius.
Click on picture to see it in full size.
On 19.6 the first egg had hatched. Hatchling shed first time on 26.6 and started eating the day after that. After 50 day incubation period, on 22.6.2003, the two other hatchlings were out. Both started eating day before first shedding, on 25.6. Hatchlings weighted approximately 7 grams and were ca. 14 cm long. SVL was ca. 6 cm.
Second female laid four eggs on 9.6.2003. Three of the went bad almost instantly. The remaining one tiny egg continued developing for 50 days. After that a small schneider's skink baby hatched on 29.7.2003. It weighted only 3,8 grams and was 11 cm long. SVL was 4,7 cm.
The first three juveniles are doing fine and growing.
Hibernation
Hibernation is not required, but may stimulate breeding and raise fertility levels. Start shortening the day length at October from 12-14 hours, so that in December it is only 6 hours. Let the temperatures drop by couple of degrees Celsius and offer food only once a week. Spray the terrarium lightly. At February you can begin raising day length, so, that in May it is again 12-14 hours.
Written by Aino Tuomola 2000-2002