Blue Tongue Skink Caresheet
The blue tongued skinks are two large species of black banded brown skinks with vivid blue tongues that are used as part of a threat display. The skink stares and stares at the aggressor, and regularly flicks its tongue in and out like a maori warrior. Tilqua gigas variety of blue tongue skink is native to Irian Jaya and grows to around tweny inches in length. Tilqua scincoides variety of blue tongue skink hails from semi desert regions and grows to eighteen or nineteen inches max. Both these species are often cross bred by accident as it is difficult to differentiate the species. They are both heavily built lizards with short stout legs and a thick stumpy tail. There is little difference between the sexes, the males generally have a slightly thicker tail base and a broader head. This species gives birth to live young, between six and twenty altogether, shortly after coming out of hibernation.
Blue Tongue Skink Vivarium
A large dry ‘steppes’ vivarium of around five foot by two foot is required for an adult pair or trio. A moister area should be provided. along with a water bowl large enough for the skink to immerse itself completely. A sandy soil substrate is appropriate. Decor should include rocks, cork bark tubes and various other ‘hides’ as blue tongue skinks are quite shy animals. A spotbulb should be included at one end and heated to forty degrees Celsius. The remainder of the vivarium should be heated to thirty degrees with a drop of around ten degrees at night. Temperature should be regulated using a thermostat. Humidity is not important as long as the water bowl is included. UVB light should be included by means of a 10.0 UVB bulb.
Blue Tongue Skink Feeding
These are omnivores and will eat most live foods, greens and some other foodstuffs. A varied diet should include crickets, cockroaches, locusts, snails (a favourite food) and slugs, mice, waxworms and mealworms as well as greens such as kale, carrots, lettuce (not iceberg), cabbage, broccolli, cauliflower and fruit such as apple, pear, melon, and banana. Also they will accept tinned catfood on occasion, and they will eat it mixed with the fruit and veg. Apparently they also like custard (no really!!) and will usually accept this when they refuse all other foods. The occasional raw egg may also be accepted. Feed every other day and vary the diet.
Hibernation should only be at fifteen Celsius for a period of around six to eight weeks and no daylight cycle.
