Chapter 8 of 9 · Blue-Tongued Skink Care Guide
New Owner Checklist
Disclaimer: I'm not a veterinarian and I don't hold a degree in animal science or animal care. This guide is compiled from the published sources listed in every chapter. For a sick animal, a reptile vet is the authority.
Blue-tongued skinks are calm, curious lizards that live 15 to 20 years or more. They need a big floor, a hot basking spot, UVB light, deep substrate to dig in, and a mixed diet of protein and vegetables. Know which kind you have, Northern (Australian) or Indonesian, because their humidity needs are different.
Setup numbers
| Northern | Indonesian | |
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure (adult) | 4 x 2 x 2 ft (120 x 60 x 60 cm) minimum; 6 x 2 x 2 ft (180 x 60 x 60 cm) is better | same; PVC holds humidity best |
| Basking rock surface | 105–115°F (40–46°C) | 100–105°F (38–40°C) |
| Cool end | 70–85°F (21–29°C) | 75–85°F (24–29°C) |
| Night | can drop to 65°F (18°C) | keep above 70°F (21°C) |
| Humidity | 40–60% | 60–80% (Halmahera higher) |
| Substrate | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) soil/sand mix | 4–6 in (10–15 cm) damp soil, coco and cypress mix |
Before your skink comes home
- Enclosure at least 4 x 2 x 2 ft (120 x 60 x 60 cm); PVC if you have an Indonesian
- Halogen flood bulbs over a flat basking stone, on a dimming thermostat
- Infrared temperature gun to check the basking rock
- T5 HO UVB tube (10–12%) over the warm half, on a 12-hour timer, replaced yearly
- Digital hygrometer on the cool side
- 4–6 in (10–15 cm) of the right substrate mix
- At least two hides, plus a humid hide packed with damp moss
- Heavy water dish, always full
- Calcium powder and a reptile multivitamin
- A scale that weighs in grams
- A reptile vet's phone number
Feeding
| Age | Protein : vegetables | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 months | 70–80% protein | daily |
| 3–8 months | 70–80% protein | 3 times a week |
| 8–12 months | 70–80% protein | 1–2 times a week |
| Adult (1 year+) | about half and half (50–60% protein) | 1–2 times a week |
- Portion: about the size of its head
- Protein: dubia roaches, snails, hornworms, earthworms, scrambled egg, chicken heart, a complete reptile diet, or quality wet dog food as one option, not the whole menu
- Vegetables: collard, mustard and dandelion greens, squash, grated carrot, bell pepper
- Fruit (keepers often use berries, mango or papaya): only as a garnish, under 10%
- Calcium on insects at every feeding; multivitamin every 1–2 weeks
- Never feed: avocado, onion, rhubarb, citrus, fruit pits, fireflies, or any plant you cannot name
Handling
- Let a new skink settle for two weeks first
- Support the whole body and tail on your arm; never grab the tail
- Pet the chin and back, not the top of the head
- Start with 5 minutes a day
- Warning signs, in order: huffing, tail flicking, then a long hiss with the mouth open and tongue out. Back off and try tomorrow
- One skink per enclosure. They fight, even as babies
Call a reptile vet if you see
- Soft or swollen jaw, trembling, or a wobbly walk (bone disease)
- Bubbles at the nose or open-mouth breathing
- Weight loss, or runny or very smelly stool
- Dark, tight rings of old shed on the toes (soak and raise humidity; see a vet if a toe looks dark)
- Tiny moving dots around the eyes or ears (mites)
Weigh your skink weekly and write it down. Steady weight is healthy weight, and sudden weight loss is often the first sign of illness.
Hand-washing
- Wash your hands with soap and water after touching your skink, its enclosure or anything in it
- Keep it out of the kitchen, and never wash its gear in the kitchen sink
- The CDC says children under 5 should not touch reptiles, and reptiles are not recommended for homes with children under 5, adults 65 and older, or people with weakened immune systems
- Families expecting a baby should move a pet reptile out of the home before the birth