Blue Tongue Skink Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know

by Jan 22, 2025

blue themed blue tongue skink photo with the title blue tongue skink care guide everything you need to know

Blue tongue skinks (Tiliqua spp.) are fascinating and hardy lizards that make excellent pets for reptile enthusiasts of all experience levels. Known for their striking blue tongues and friendly demeanor, these skinks are native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. With proper care, they can live long, healthy lives and become a rewarding addition to your home.

Blue Tongue Skink Care Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Basic Information

  • Common Name: Blue Tongue Skink
  • Scientific Name: Tiliqua spp. (most commonly Tiliqua scincoides or Tiliqua gigas)
  • Lifespan: 15-20 years
  • Size: 18-24 inches
  • Temperament: Docile, inquisitive, and easy to handle
blue tongue sking sticking it's tongue out in a bowl

Enclosure Size

  • Minimum Size:
    • Juveniles: Larger enclosures are recommended, such as 36x18x18 inches (40-gallon breeder tank), to accommodate their high activity levels.
    • Adults: 4’x2’x2’ enclosure to accommodate their activity levels and provide adequate space for movement and enrichment.
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Substrate

  • Best Options:
    • Coconut husk, cypress mulch, or a bioactive soil mix.
  • Depth: At least 6 inches to allow for burrowing and digging behaviors.
  • Avoid: Sand or loose substrates that may cause impaction.

Enclosure Features

  • Hides: At least two hides (one on the warm side and one on the cool side).
  • Decor: Include logs, rocks, and fake or live plants for climbing and enrichment.
  • Water Dish: A shallow water dish large enough for soaking.

Temperature

  • Basking Spot: 95-100°F.
  • Cool Side: 75-85°F.
  • Nighttime: Can drop to 70-75°F.
  • Monitoring: Use digital thermometers and a thermostat to maintain accuracy.

UVB Lighting

  • Importance: UVB is essential for vitamin D3 synthesis and calcium metabolism.
  • Setup: Use a 10-12% UVB tube light, placed 12-18 inches from the basking area.
  • Cycle: 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness to mimic natural conditions.
Backside shot of a blue tongue skink by it's food bowl

Diet and Feeding

Feeding Schedule

  • Juveniles: Feed daily.
  • Adults: Feed 2-3 times per week.

Diet Composition

  • Protein (50%): Lean meats (cooked chicken or turkey), snails, crickets, and dubia roaches.
  • Vegetables (40%): Collard greens, dandelion greens, squash, and carrots.
  • Fruits (10%): Berries, mango, papaya, and banana (occasionally).

Supplements

  • Calcium: Dust food with calcium powder (with D3) 2-3 times per week.
  • Multivitamins: Provide a multivitamin supplement once a week.

Water

  • Provide fresh, clean water daily in a shallow dish. Replace water immediately if it becomes soiled.
Blue tongue skink looking majestically over a rock

Handling and Behavior

  • Temperament: Blue tongue skinks are generally docile and tolerate handling well.
  • Handling Tips:
    • Start with short handling sessions to build trust.
    • Support their entire body to avoid stress.
  • Caution: While rare, they may hiss or puff up if startled, but this is usually bluff behavior.

Health and Wellness

Common Issues

  • Respiratory Infections: Caused by low temperatures or poor humidity. Symptoms include wheezing or mucus around the nose.
  • Mouth Rot: Signs include swelling and discoloration around the mouth.
  • Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD): Prevented with proper calcium and UVB.

Signs of a Healthy Skink

  • Clear, bright eyes.
  • Smooth, even shedding.
  • Regular appetite and active behavior.

Cleaning and Maintenance

  • Daily: Spot clean for waste and uneaten food.
  • Weekly: Replace water and clean decor.
  • Monthly: Deep clean the enclosure with reptile-safe disinfectants.
blue tongue skink being held by a veterinarian.
Blue tongue skink popping out of a cork bark round

Fun Facts About Blue Tongue Skinks

  • Blue Tongues: Their blue tongues are used to startle predators and act as a defense mechanism.
  • Omnivorous Diet: In the wild, they eat a mix of plants, insects, and small animals.
  • Long Lifespan: With proper care, they can live up to 20 years in captivity.
  • Unique Personalities: Each skink has its own personality, ranging from shy to outgoing.
  • Easy to Handle: Their calm temperament makes them a favorite among reptile keepers.

Blue tongue skinks are excellent reptiles for those looking for a hardy, interactive, and long-lived pet. With proper housing, diet, and care, they thrive in captivity and make for rewarding companions. Whether you’re a seasoned reptile enthusiast or looking to expand your collection, these fascinating lizards are sure to capture your heart.