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Blue-Tongued Skink Care Guide
Did You Know?
- Blue-Tongued Skinks are from the ope woodland and forest and field areas of Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea. They have long, chubby bodies with smooth scales and small and short legs.
- They are generally a caramel-tan in color with black bands across the back.
- Their blue tongue is used to scare off would-be predators and to find food.
- They are very social and engaging.
- Male Skinks tend to be extremely aggressive toward one another and will fight, sometimes to the death.
Species Information
LIFE SPAN
Approximately 15 years
AVERAGE SIZE
18-20 inches
NORMAL BEHAVIOR & INTERACTION
Blue-Tongued Skinks handle well and often seem to actually enjoy being held & petted. In nature, males become territorial and can engage in ritualized dominance struggles. Females may also have trouble getting along. For this reason, it is easiest for the pet owner to keep only one per enclosure.
CAGE TEMPERATURE
Warm Side: 85-90°F
Basking: 95°F
Cool Side: 75°F
HUMIDITY
40-60% humidity levels
FEEDING
Blue-Tongues are omnivorous, which means they eat both meat and vegetables. About 60% of an adult’s diet should be made up of vegetables, 20%-30% protein and 10%-20% fruits.
SUPPLEMENTS
Dust food with calcium and vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile’s food should be dusted more often than an adult’s.
WATER
All water given to reptiles for bathing, swimming or drinking, as well as water used for misting, must be 100% free of chlorine and heavy metals. Fresh water for soaking and drinking should be offered daily.
ENCLOSURE SIZE
The enclosure should be a solid glass sided tank long enough to create the two separate temperature gradients with a solid escape proof cover. For a baby Blue-Tongue a 20 Gal long tank is sufficient, as an adult a minimum of a 55 Gal tank is needed.
SUBSTRATE
We recommend a shredded aspen bedding or a forest floor mulch bedding as Blue-Tongues enjoy digging and burrowing.
UVB LIGHT
Blue-Tongued Skinks MUST be exposed to UVB lighting 8-12 hours a day. This exposure is CRITICAL in allowing the animal to synthesize vitamin D3 and absorb calcium.
DAY/NIGHT CYCLES & HEATING
All lizards must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. Bearded Dragons need 8-12 hours of daytime and 8-12 hours of nighttime.
HABITAT MAINTENANCE
Daily maintenance should consist of spot cleaning by removing soiled substrate, cleaning water bowl thoroughly and wiping glass clean. The entire tank should be cleaned thoroughly at least once every month.
RECOMMENDED SUPPLIES
- 55–100 Gal reptile tank with secure mesh top, smaller enclosures are acceptable for babies
- Large dome & appropriately sized heat light
- UVB bulb & housing
- Under tank heating pad
- Temperature/humidity gauge
- Shredded aspen or forest floor mulch bedding
- Large water bowl
- Hide house
- Food pellets & canned, live or frozen food
- Calcium & vitamin supplements
- Water dechlorinate drops
- Spray bottle
Vet Approved
Our Care Guides are designed to assist in general knowledge and requirements for the care of your new family member. We strongly encourage further research and consultation with your veterinarian on the complete and proper care of any new pet.
For more information visit petsuppliesplus.com, cdc.gov/healthypets or contact your veterinarian.
Always wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning its habitat, and remember that any pet can scratch, bite or transmit disease to humans.
For pregnant women, persons with compromised immune systems, or if you have children under the age of 5, we strongly recommend contacting your physician prior to purchasing or caring for a new pet.
Please see the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/healthypets for more information.
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