Sweet Arrow Reptiles Blue-Tongue Skink Care

Northern Blue-Tongue Skink
(Tiliqua scincoides intermedia)

Introduction

Increasing in popularity in the reptile trade, Northern blue-tongue skinks, (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) are beginning to increase in availability. Like bearded dragons, they become quite tame when handled frequently and develop interesting individual personalities. Blue-tongues give birth to live babies up to 6 inches in length. With proper care, babies grow rapidly and will exceed over a foot in length within a year.
Blue-tongues are slightly more expensive than some other varieties of lizards, but are very hardy and make a great choice for the beginner as well as the advanced hobbyist. Keep in mind that they can reach lengths of up to 20”, so they do require a larger enclosure.

Housing

Babies can be housed individually in a 10-gallon aquarium or a container of similar size. The enclosure should have a screen top to provide proper ventilation. A 20-gallon tank would be ideal, and would give you a couple extra months before you would have to move it into something larger. Adults require an enclosure around 4’x 2’. When choosing an enclosure, keep in mind that floor space is more important than height. There are reptile enclosures of many sizes available commercially.
Once you decide on an enclosure, you must choose some type of floor covering. Sand or aspen shavings work well. Personally, I prefer to use the aspen for sanitary reasons. It’s more absorbent and easily changed.

When furnishing the enclosure, keep it basic. A cardboard hide tube or section of PVC pipe will work great for a hiding spot. A rock or some other heat conductive object placed under a basking lamp should be provided. The lamp can be controlled by a timer or turned off at night and on in the morning. An under the tank heat source should also be provided. Heat and lighting is very critical to reptile keeping. The fixture can be placed on a screened lid over a rock or a piece of wood to create a basking site. Temperature here should be between 85-95F. This can be regulated by bulb wattage or the use of a dimmer switch. The rest of the enclosure should be around 80F. I do not recommend “heat rocks”. They become too hot. The enclosure should be dry; however there should be a slight humidity gradient. Moss or another damp substrate can be placed in plastic shoebox made into a hide box. Temperatures as low as 65F will be tolerated at night.

Use common sense in maintaining the vivarium. Fresh water should be available at all times, since they do drink often. Water bowls generally are hard to keep free of substrate. “Reptile waterers” seem to work slightly better. Clean fecal matter from substrate regularly.

Feeding

One convenience of keeping blue-tongue skinks is their diet. Blue-tongues will eat a variety of foods, which works out well when live food items are not available. Non-live foods include canned dog and cat food. Finley chopped vegetables and fruits such as zucchini, carrots, apples, grapes and eggplant will be appreciated. Our collection of bts’s also enjoys crickets, mealies, superworms, hissing cockroaches and pinkies. Wild caught insects should be avoided due to the possible exposure to pesticides. All meals offered to babies should be dusted with a calcium supplement, once or twice a week for adults. Offer a variety of foods every day or every other day.

Conclusion

This information is provided based on our research and experience. Please keep in mind that it may vary slightly among individuals. As with any pet, be sure you thoroughly research its requirements before purchasing. Be certain you will be able to provide it with all its needs. Avoid “impulse buying”.

NOTE: Reptiles readily carry salmonella. Although it does not affect them, it can be harmful to humans. Always be sure to wash your hands with an anti-bacterial soap after handling. Common sense is the best defense. Children should always be supervised when around reptiles.

Summary

Adult size: Around 20”
Food: Fruits, vegetables, canned dog and cat food, crickets, mealies, superworms. Will also eat hissing cockroaches, and pinkies.
Longevity: Over 20 years.
Housing: Babies; 10-gallon aquarium, but will quickly outgrow it. One adult can be housed in a 55 gallon tank or a 2’x4’ enclosure. Must be housed individually.
Temperature: Basking area should be 85-95F. The rest of enclosure should be around 80F.
Handling: Will become tame with frequent handling. Great choice if you wish to handle often.
Care: Very easy to keep and feed. Keep in mind that they will require a larger enclosure as they quickly mature.