blue tongue care sheet

Considering a Blue tongue lizard as a pet is a terrific choice. They are very easy to look after and friendly.  Blue tongue skink is just another name sometimes used.

They are great for kids as they can be readily handled and played with.  Their average lifespan is around 20 years, and with the correct care there is no reasons why they shouldn’t be a part of your family.

Size is an important factor to consider when setting up their home, The minimum size enclosure or tank we recommend is  4ft or above being a better option. Remember the bigger the better!  They can grow to 45cm so will need room to move around.  A fish tank or a thermostatically controlled enclosure is suitable to house a Blue tongue. 

Blue tongues can also be conditioned to live outside in an area called a "pit" this allows them to live in an environment close to the wild. 

As with most lizards, Blue tongue skinks require a wide range temperature gradient consisting of a hot side and a cool side.  The basking area (hot side) get to at least 32 Celsius ,with the cool side 24 Celsius or below. 

Basking globes or ceramic heat globes are our preferred choice. If using a thermostatically controlled enclosure, we find that setting the average temperature in the middle of the enclosure to 26-28 celsius usually gives the best temperature gradient. 

 A UVB 5.0 is recommended, and should be on for 12 hour per day to simulate a normal daylight cycle.  You can use either the Compact 5.0 UVB or Fluorescent 5.0 UVB.  

It is recommended to change the UVB globe every 6-12 months but this recordation varies depending on brand and quality, some brands provide a 12 month guarantee such as reptisun brand which is a product we stock.

Blue tongues are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant matter and meat.  They will eat a variety of fruit and vegetables including Brocolli, Cos Lettuce, Bananas, Kiwi fruit, diced apple and Strawberries.  For meat you can feed Live Crickets, Cockroaches, Giant Mealworms, lean chicken and beef mince as well as small amounts of Cat food.  

 Remember a good variety of foods in their diet is required.

Juveniles should be fed once a day, and feeding every other day for adults is recommended.  Calcium powder should be dusted over their food twice a week and Multivitamin powder once per week.  Fresh water in a shallow bowl should be provided and changed daily.

Breeding Blue Tongues can be a very rewarding but time consuming commitment.  The process starts with a cooling period called Brumation, which lasts for several months.  Time frames will vary depending on where you live, but it basically consists of slowly cooling your lizards down each week and reducing your light cycle from 12 hours down to 8 hours.

No food at all should be offered  during this stage.  Once cooling is complete you reverse this cycle and bring your temperature and light slowly back up to original conditions.  When housed outside, they will go through this cycle naturally. There is no right or wrong way to breed Blue tongues and there are many different techniques that can be used.  After 3-5 months from mating, a gravid female Blue tongue will give birth of up to 25 live babies, which are independent at birth.  Babies will need extra special care and attention and should be separated from any Adults immediately.