Blue-tongued skinks require a large enclosure, such as a 40- to 55-gallon tank, with a secure lid. However, listen to Reptile Mountain explain how it works: Reptile Formulas. Hi Janice! What Substrate Should I Use With Which Blue Tongue Skink Species? But today, they are bred across the globe. They do not cause impaction or eye and nose infection. Here is a list of the best non-particle substrate. Skinks like to bathe in their water but also often defecate there, so frequent cleaning is required for the water dish. They are a medium maintenance pet. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thus, good decors for blue tongue skinks or any other reptile is essential. Symptoms include weakened or fractured bones, tremors, lethargy, and overall weakness. Before choosing the best substrate for your blue tongue skink, you should first try to understand their origin. If you go for a small tank from the beginning, you will have to keep replacing it with a larger tank as your pet grows. They have a characteristic blue tongue and are mainly the inhabitants of Australia, where they are widely popular as house pets. Believed to have also been gravid at one point but re absorbed. Blue tongue skinks need to bask for proper health and digestion. Turn off all lights at night. The invisible UVA/UVB rays help with metabolism, bone health, and more. Also, the dust can get into your blue tongue skink’s eyes and nose, causing infection. The vast majority of blue tongue skinks kept as pets come from Australia, though some others may be found on nearby islands like Indonesia. The blue tongue skink makes reptile pets, but they are the right lizard to catch. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. These docile, unique lizards are generally easy to care for and form strong bonds with their owners, making them a delight for people of all ages. They are not good conductors of heat. Depending on the origin of your blue tongue skink, you must make their habitat similar to that. Contents. Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge. They settle down quickly, are easily acclimated to captivity, and grow into approachable, submissive pets. Blue tongue skinks get dirty quickly, and thus, cleaning their enclosures is essential. Try to get your skink from a reputable breeder, who will have the animal's health history available. Kei Island and Irian Jaya blue-tongue skinks require a humidity of 60-80%. The background is critical for making your blue tongue skink comfortable and safe. The blue-tongued skink is one of the stranger animals to be found at a pet store. Blue tongue skinks are reasonably active, ground-dwelling lizards that hail from the hotter parts of the world. Juveniles under two years need 70 to 80% meat and 20 to 30% plants. Again, the bulb should not be too far from your blue tongue skink. They are docile, quiet, gentle, and easily tamed, which is why they make great beginner pets. It must be boring! Besides, your blue tongue skink being burrowing animals, they might try to burrow under the carpet. You should also make sure nothing is blocking the light from reaching your skink, except for a metal mesh screen if necessary. Pet Breed. They are mostly sold in a range of colors. You should also ensure that the UVB is not 10” near your blue tongues skink. On the other hand, UVA light is responsible for helping your skink differentiate between the night and day. Blue-tongued skinks are ground dwellers with a flattened and elongated body somewhat resembling a snake in appearance. Beginners’ blue tongue skinks keepers tend to go for the convenient “all in one” enclosures at the pet stores. Even though you might never see your blue tongue skink drink water, it is essential to ensure that it is always accessible. The average 48” x 24” x24” blue tongue skink enclosure will need a 100-150w heat bulb to achieve the basking temperatures you need. Rough scales indicate that your pet needs more moisture, while silky, smooth, and a good shedding indicates you are doing okay. But, to monitor and control the cage temperature for your blue tongue skink, you should install a thermostat. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',115,'0','0']));The size of your blue tongue skink tank entirely depends on the size of your pet. Thus, it is critical to include a proper substrate in their habitat. A staple of blue tongue skink owners around the world, cat and dog food can represent a core part of your blue tongue skink’s diet. And if you have to heat your blue tongue skink enclosure at night, ensure that you use a non-light emitting heat source.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'uniquepetswiki_com-leader-4','ezslot_19',123,'0','0'])); Putting off the lights at night in your blue tongue skink cage will help them have a clear day-night cycle. However, blue tongue skinks are not good swimmers, and thus, the bowl should not be too deep. However, you should only use filtered and hypoallergenic aspen wood beddings. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They range in prices, sizes, functionality, and even the manufacturing materials. Glass surfing is when you see your blue tongue skink scratching the glass. Blotched blue tongue skinks are darker in color than most other blue tongues, with different blotches on the body and tail. Blue tongue skinks, just like other wild animals, require environmental enrichment. Whether reptiles need UVB to survive has been a hot topic amongst hobbyists. Also, the glass terrariums make a good habitat for blue tongue skins because they have a screen lid on the upper side that allows ample airflow and regulates the humidity levels. This is the place! Let’s see some of those essential accessories for blue tongue skinks. Thus, they can hold heat quite well. Australian blue tongue skinks require a humidity level that is around 40%. Inappropriate humidity can cause respiratory infections for your blue tongue skinks. You have to notice regularly overall gradient. You can keep this lizard as the pet with the proper care. Also, you should ensure that you disinfect the enclosure at least once a month. Blue tongue skinks are large compared to other lizards. Licensed Breeders. The blue-tongued skink is a large, diurnal lizard, whose appetite for slugs and snails makes it a favorite pet among gardeners in Australia. Indonesian species, on the other hand, will require humidity ranging from 60-80%. Blue Tongued Skink. Everything Blue Tongues! Watch on YouTube. Native to Australia, these calm pet lizards have distinct blue tongues (which is how they got their name), short legs and dull teeth. Night temperatures should never drop lower than 65ºF (18ºC). Good conductors of heat. The Best Blue Tongue Skink Setup at Glance, What Your Blue Tongue Skink Needs in Their Habitat, Landscaping and Furniture Needs (Branches, Rocks, Etc.). Check out the blue tongue skink care sheet now! A Blue Tongue Skink makes a wonderful pet for anyone, whether you’re just beginning your foray into reptile care, or you’re a more advanced hobbyist. Indonesian blue tongues are still being imported and can be cheaper but it is important to buy from a reputable dist… Answer: While the bearded dragon and leopard gecko are most often recommended as the ideal beginner lizards—and with good reason—the blue-tongued skink (Tiliqua ssp.) It is advisable to check the li… Makes an excellent pet, due to its beautiful coloration, calm and docile nature, large size and long lifespan. Location. It’s natural for blue tongue skinks to spend most of their day basking in the wild. Mostly, you will find them in grasslands, woodlands, agricultural areas, and they can easily adapt to urban areas. It is through basking that blue tongue skink acquires vitamin D3. Blue Tongued Skink. Even in their original habitats, which are commonly Australia, blue tongue skinks enjoy plenty of light during the day. A note on skink sloughing: they shed their skin in patches, not all at once like snakes. They do not allow proper airflow. However, it’s not the best habitat for blue tongue skinks. There are a handful of different blue-tongued skink species available to hobbyists, but they all require broadly similar care. To make them comfortable, you should at least include a substrate that is 4-6 inches deep. In this case, background décor falls under cognitive enrichment. Blue tongue skinks require a thermal gradient to set up their tank (one side than the other). Although they tend to be very laid-back, skinks also tend to form strong bonds with their owners, and that might be why they are so popular. About the Blue Tongue Skink Blue-tongued skinks are fairly large lizards, reaching 18 to 20 inches in length. To help them thrive rather than survive in captivity, you should provide them with adequate temperature, lighting, and humidity. However, Indonesian blue-tongued skinks, for example, are easier to find and are regularly imported into the UK from farms and European breeders. Cons of blue tongue skinks as pets: Even though their long lifespan is a positive thing, many people can’t commit to care for a skink for 15-20+ years. Despite their generally docile nature, blue-tongued skinks will bite if they feel threatened, or hiss and expose their blue tongues (which is where they get their name). While lots of reptiles od not like being handled, and some merely put up with it, bluetongue skinks are very personable and at times love to be scratched on the chin or head. However, Indonesian blue-tongued skinks, for example, are easier to find and are regularly imported into the UK from farms and European breeders. Presumed female via social interaction. You should not include either UVB or UVA light at night since blue tongue skinks are diurnal animals that need to sleep at night. Thus they are not as frequently available in the pet trade. They may be docile and friendly, but they are not the most outgoing lizard and may be a pet … It is through basking that blue tongue skink acquires vitamin D3. Not so good for regulating humidity levels. Most litters of blue tongue skinks are born between June and August and are available seasonally. To keep the temperature in range, you can consider buying a ceramic heat emitter. You should need to advanced level care of this species if you have the lizard at your house. For instance, the thermometers that come with the package are usually inaccurate and unreliable to measure the ambient temperature. You can use live plants, but they are not the best as the blue tongue skinks are highly likely to destroy them when burrowing. Like many reptiles, blue-tongue skinks are omnivorous. Also, the seller can install lights as per your request at an additional fee. For instance, Australian blue tongue skinks require a dry substrate, while Indonesian skinks require a humid substrate. Thus, the amount of humidity to provide to your blue tongue skinks entirely depends on the origin of your species. If you don’t provide your blue tongue skinks with the right temperature, they experience indigestion, which can be fatal. In this article we’ll be taking a look at the natural habitat of blue tongues, examining how to replicate this in captivity, and therefore how to select the best blue tongue skink enclosure. Check back the last week of May for availability. Blue-tongue skinks are forest floor dwelling lizards with large, smooth, flat scales; a wide head and a bright blue tongue. Pet Type. The most common characteristic of these lizards is the blue tongue that is used to warn potential predators. Other species, including Indonesian blue-tongued skinks (Tiliqua gigas gigas), are more readily available and often imported, but Northern blue-tongued skinks are hardier and make better pets. This comes with a benefit since they are guaranteed to be captive bred. Distance. She is great to handle and does not … Named for their distinctive blue tongues, blue-tongued skinks are medium-sized lizards who are very popular pets among reptile enthusiasts. There might be several species of blue tongue skinks. The ratio for plant to animal materials changes as they mature. Blue Tongue Skinks Discussion FORUMS General Discussion and FAQ; It is currently Tue Dec 15, 2020 6:11 pm; All times are UTC; General Discussion and FAQ. - : Blue tongue skink is quieter than some other species. Over the years we have acquired exceptional hand picked stock from the most long term and best breeders in the United States. They are ingestible, and the dust can cause respiratory infections to your blue tongue skinks. You should also ensure that you are using the best substrate that does not impose any risk on your blue tongue skink. Housing. If your blue tongue skink pees or even poops on you or generally outside the cage, it is generally a stress response. Newly born Blue Tongue Skinks can measure 15cm (6in) in length. Secondly, by offering a broad range of foods you can minimize the chances of mineral deficiencies. Let’s see why your blue tongue skink needs background decors, as part of environmental enrichment. They seem to love the attention they getting. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_20',120,'0','0']));Can you imagine living in a void house? In fact, they're a pretty popular lizard species. Blue tongue skink as pet can be a right choice for anyone who can take out a day or two in a week to look for his pet and to ensure that it is in good shape. As stated earlier, blue-tongued skinks as a w… Forum rules In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, … 21. Just got a BTS and want to introduce yourself? The blue tongue skink species (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) is a blue tongued lizard, also commonly referred to as blue tongues in Australia. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. 2019 Blue Tongue Skink (Seram Tiliqua gigas evanescens) This advert is located in and around Ossett, West Yorkshire. To ensure that the temperature is on point, you should at least have two separate thermometers. This is the best option to keep as the pet with the good care. The cost of maintaining and caring for this species is relatively low. Blue-tongued skinks, as with most pets, require a clean environment to thrive. Blue tongue skinks are cold-blooded animals. Hi guys! They enjoy a varied diet of insects, flowers, fruits, berries and gastropods. It is one of the best substrates to use for all blue tongue species. Blue tongue skinks are one of the most popular pet lizards currently available, but they do have some quite specific requirements when it comes to housing. Thus, ensuring that you mimic their natural habitat is essential. Therefore, you should ensure that the water bowl is big enough for your blue tongue skink to soak in. The scales are smooth. In the wild, blue tongue skinks have a habit of climbing on a rock when basking. Blue-tongued skinks don't need branches for climbing since they are strictly ground dwellers. During the brumation period, blue tongue skinks spend most of their time hiding. Skinks are easy-to-care-for, low-maintenance lizards, and make good pets for children and beginners, as long as owners are prepared for their relatively large size compared to other pet lizards . Provide a large, shallow, and sturdy water dish. Usually wild animals show that they are dangerous with bright colours and the skinks tongue certainly fits into the bright colours group. House the grown up blue tongue skinks in cages of size 36” x 18”x 10” (L x B x H) that have full screen covers. phil goss. Taming and regular handling can help fulfill that need for stimulation while also teaching the skink to feel secure in your presence. Adults reach lengths between 18 and 24 inches. Blue-Tongue Skink Food. Blue tongue skink as a pet. It’s also highly advisable to plug the heat lamp into a lamp dimmer so you can dial down the heat as needed. A combination of under-tank heating and a basking light on one side of the tank works well. During the night, the temperature can drop up to 650F. Some say that reptiles can survive without UVB in captivity. They have long, solid bodies, triangular-shaped heads and comparatively small legs. Variety is the key to providing a nutritious diet, and a calcium/vitamin D supplement should be added to the food regularly to help prevent metabolic bone disease (more on that later). The varied diet of blue tongue skinks can have a number of benefits. Blue-tongued skinks comprise the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). Thus, you should only house them individually.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'uniquepetswiki_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',116,'0','0'])); Blue tongue skinks are burrowing animals. There are five categories of enrichments for wild animals in captivity. They look like a strange cross between a lizard and a snake, but they can be just as endearing as either of these animals. If you can roll your tongue up, you know what it’s like to have a cool party trick in your back pocket. The Australian species can be pricier because they can no long be imported. But rest assured there is no venom or poison. KC Registered. If you can watch the animal eat before purchasing, you'll be able to tell if it has a healthy appetite. And like other lizards, skinks can suffer from vitamin A deficiency. However, blue tongue skinks are burrowing animals. 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