Blue Tongue Skinks are fantastic, medium-sized lizards to own. This care guide will specifically discuss northern blue tongue skinks, as they are more common in captivity and less likely to be wild caught. Let’s get into it!
Habitat & Husbandry
Enclosure: All types of blue tongue skinks need 120 gallons minimum. They get pretty large at 18″-24″ long from head to tail, so they need tons of room! I personally recommend the 4″x2″x2″ from Dubia Roaches, but there are many reputable brands to get PVC enclosures from.
Substrate: These guys love to burrow, so providing at least 4 inches of substrate is crucial to their wellbeing. I recommend ReptiChip or a mix of 60% topsoil and 40% play sand to imitate their arid natural habitat.
Temperature: Blue tongue skinks warm up by basking under the sun in the wild. In captivity, you should provide a halogen heat lamp (hooked to a thermostat), as it is closest to mimicking the sun. Their basking surface temperature should be between 105-115 degrees, while their cool zone should be between 70-80 degrees. Use a digital probe thermometer to accurately measure their basking temperature.
Humidity: Northern blue tongue skinks should have a humidity level between 40-60%. If you have a skink other than a northern, humidity levels will differ. Make sure you know which type of skink you have when researching!
Lighting: Blue tongue skinks are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. As a result, a UVB light that spans the majority of the enclosure is crucial for the health of your skink. I personally use a ReptiSun T5 10.0 Bulb, but Arcadia bulbs are a great option, too.
Feeding & Supplements
Diet: Blue tongue skinks are omnivores, so they need a variety of different types of foods. A good rule of thumb is 50% of their diet should be protein (dog food, ground turkey, quail eggs), 40% greens (collard greens, mustard greens, green beans, squash), and 10% fruit (mango, berries).
Feeding Schedule: Juveniles should be fed 3 times weekly, while adults should be fed once or twice a week. You will need a food bowl large enough to hold all of their food, as well as low enough to accommodate their little legs!
Supplements: You will need a calcium powder and a multivitamin powder to dust your skink’s food with. Since you will be using UVB, dust with calcium that does not include D3. Use the multivitamin powder at least once a week.
Health & Maintenance
Cleaning: Spot clean the enclosure daily and do a full substrate change every 4-6 months. This is if you are not setting up your skink’s enclosure bioactively. You can learn how to set up your enclosure bioactively here!
Health Issues: As with any animal, watch for signs of illness such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or other abnormalities in behavior. Consult a vet experienced with reptiles if needed.
Enrichment & Handling
Hiding Spots: Provide plenty of hiding spots using logs, plants, and hides. They will be more active if there is clutter. They will love it!
Handling: They tolerate handling, so they are a great reptile if you want one you can handle! It is similar to holding a large potato or sausage. They will sit and chill with you once they trust you. However, this also depends on the species of skink you have. Northerns are primarily captive-bred, so they are more likely to build trust with humans.
Blue tongue skinks are wonderful, intermediate level pets that don’t require too much maintenace. This makes them a great pet for many types of people and lifestyles. With proper care, they can live up to 15-20 years. Do your research and have fun with your new reptile!
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