Meeting the correct housing specifications for these shy little lizards is very important for their general health and husbandry. If a cage is too hot or too dry, it would cause the animal to become distressed and this will rapidly result in its death in a short period of time. So creating what is as close as possible to its natural environment is the key to owning a happy Trib.

The best type of set-up for housing Tribolonotus species is a plastic, fibreglass or well- insulated glass enclosure. It is possible to use vivariums made from melamine, but the obvious problem is that with such a high level of humidity being required, so these can warp and become unusable very quickly.

The size of a Tribolonotus enclosure for a single specimen should ideally be something with at least 2.5sq ft (0.23sq m) of floor space, plus 50% more again for a pair. As with all reptiles, Tribs need a thermal gradient to regulate their body temperature. In their enclosure, these skinks require an artificial heat source, but as they don't need either a very high ambient or basking temperature in their enclosure, so these are easily maintained with ceramic elements and/or a bulb source connected to a suitable thermostat, not just running from the mains!

Simple Hatchling setup

Tribolonotus gracilis

Tribolonotus gracilis prefers slightly cooler temperatures  than T. novaeguineae.

Tribolonotus novaeguineae

Although these shy skinks don’t bask very often, a good U.V.B full spectrum lamp is essential for both babies and for maintaining the health of adults. Remember that the U.V.B light source will work at its best when positioned within 8in (20cm) of the animal and will work even better if it has a reflector around it. Crocodile skinks can’t metabolize their own calcium without the help of the vitamin D3, produced naturally in the body by exposure to rays of U.V.B light. So if a U.V.B source is not available for the animal to use, they will become very lethargic as they won’t be able to hunt and catch food, and their body undergoes harmful skeletal changes.

A good U.V.B source will only last about 8-9 months at a maximum, so note down the date you purchased your light and change it after this period, even if it is still working.

A number of different substrates are available for use in tropical terrestrial vivariums. Orchid bark or compressed blocks of compost work well for this purpose, and these can be mixed to create a more naturalistic appearance in the tank. Cork bark hides that the Trib can squeeze under and take refuge are great, but remember to provide plenty of retreats if you’re housing a pair together so they can hide in separate localities.  It’s easy to provide extra moisture in the terrarium using sphagnum moss inside an old ice-cream or cricket tub. Cut a hole in the side and revitalize it by spraying with de-chlorinated water or replace the moss as necessary. Having only limited ventilation in the back or sides of the tank will help to keep the enclosure at a relative humidity of 75 - 80%. This can be measured with a hygrometer.

Always give access to a large SHALLOW water bowl, deep enough for the animal to submerge itself. This is ideal because these skinks are extremely good swimmers and undisturbed will spend a large amount of time soaking. Just make sure that the water is cleaned at least every other day, or more frequently if it is soiled.

When decorating your vivarium, take into account that the basic needs for the Trib are places to hide (both moist and dry) and access to a water source. Anything else is really non-essential but always makes the tank look more pleasing to the eye. Fake or natural plants can be used in the terrarium, but ensure that if you use live plants, that they are not toxic in any way and will grow in these surroundings without damping off and becoming mouldy. Plants purchased in garden centres could have recently been sprayed with harmful chemicals.