BLUE TONGUED SKINK
Tiliqua Scincoides
This applies to the Northern blue-tongued skink, but most species and subspecies of blue-tongued skinks can be kept using these guidelines. Blue-tongued skinks are ideal for beginners, as they have loads of personality and great dispositions. They are also an excellent choice for an advanced hobbyist, as breeding them can be challenging and certain blue tongues species and localities are extremely rare.
AVAILIBILITY
Northern blue-tongued skinks are available seasonally, with most litters dropped June through August. Other species, including Indonesian blue tongued skinks (Tiliqua gigas gigas), are more readily available and often imported, but Norther blue-tongued skinks are hardier and make better pets. Be sure to choose reptiles from a reputable source and look for active lizards with bright, open eyes. Check for open ear canals, clean toes with no sign of retained shed, and observe the overall appearance of the lizard for signs of health problems. They can range from £150 for a baby and then £250 for an adult
SIZING
The Northern blue-tongued skink is the largest of the species. The total length of an adult usually ranges between 18 and 24 inches.
LIFE SPAN
If kept properly then they can live 15 to 20 years, sometimes longer.
ENCLOSURE
Baby blue tongues should be housed singly in plastic reptile enclosures, terrariums or aquariums with full screen tops. An adult requires, at minimum, an enclosure measuring 36 inches long by 18 inches wide by 10 inches tall, with a screen top. Remember blue-tongued skinks are terrestrial and prefer floor space over climbing space.
​
All blue-tongued skinks, both juveniles and adults, are best kept singly. You may be able to house females together, but this would have to be monitored regularly to make sure they're not fighting and both are getting access to heat, light, food, etc. If things like this are observed then you should immediately separate them into their own individual housing. Never keep males together.
LIGHTING AND TEMPERATURE
Reptiles control their body temperature through thermoregulation, and it's crucial for your blue-tongued skink enclosure to have a warm and and a cooler end. Place all heating and lighting at one end of the enclosure, so if your blue-tongued skink gets too warm, it can move towards the opposite end to cool down and then vice versa if they get too cold. A thermometer at each end to monitor temperatures is recommended.
​
Blue tongues skink enclosures should have ambient temperatures on the cool side from 75-82.F. The warm side should include a basking area of 90-100.F. This can be accomplished using under tank heating device such as a heat mat and/or an overhead incandescent basking light or heat emitter. If both under tank and overhead heat are provided, the over head heating devices should be turned off at night. Daylight bulbs should be on for a maximum of 12 hours each day. The cooler end of the enclosure can drop to 70.F on a night time.
​
Though there are documented cases of blue tongues skinks being raised successfully without exposure to full-spectrum lighting, I do recommend UVB lighting in blue tongued skinks (especially if there has been UVB used by previous owners/sellers) enclosures. The UVB lights should be on 8-12 hours a day. Any UVB bulb will also provide UVA, which is beneficial to blue tongued skinks.