by Dennis Stein

Created on: July 01, 2008

Caring For Your Blue Tongued Skink:

Blue Tongued Skinks originate from New Guinea and Australia, with a thick scaled body, and short legs. This ground dwelling reptile sports a cobalt blue tongue, which it displays to frighten off predators. Males tend to be larger and more heavily bodied, with a wider triangular head than the female of the species. Having one as a pet can be a rewarding experience, and create a conversation piece in any room, providing certain simple care guidelines are followed...

Re-creating a Skink's natural habitat is relatively easy, as these animals are ground dwellers, preferring a desert style terrarium. A large aquarium is all that is required, the larger the better, because at full growth, adult skinks can reach 2 feet in length. Fine sand or animal bedding can be used as a substrate (being careful to avoid cedar, as it is toxic).
Bark or pebble stone should be avoided, as your pet could accidently ingest them, and get impactions in their digestive system. Half logs and piled flat rock can be used to provide hiding spots for your animal. A heat lamp should be provided at one end of your enclosure, along with an undertank heat pad to acheive the correct temperature gradient. The other end of your tank should be cooler, allowing the reptile to regulate its body temperature. Daytime temps in the terrarium should be between 75-85 degrees, with a basking spot of 95 to 100. Night temperatures should not fall below 70 degrees. A UVA/UVB flourescent bulb should also be provided near the basking area, allowing your pet to convert calcium and Phosphorous into necessay vitamin D3. A higher output UVA/UVB bulb should be chosen, to re-create the desert environment.

Feeding a skink is also relatively easy, as these low slung lizards are omnivores, eating both plant and animal matter. Shredded salad containing a variety of berries and vegetables and rich greens will suffice for the plant side of their diet, and mealworms, gut-loaded crickets, and the occasional 'pinkie' mouse will take care of their meat diet. Foods should be sprinkled with a calcium/phosphorous powder in the ratio of 2:1 at every other feeding, to ensure the animal gets all the required minerals it needs. A water bowl should also be provided, large enough for the skink to easily climb in and out of, with the water being changed on a daily basis (reptiles commonly deficate in water).

Owning one of these curious and docile repptiles will bring hours of enjoyment, and following these tips on care, as well as regular visits to a local reptile vet will ensure your new pet's happiness for years to come...

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