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Blue tongue skinks are calm, sturdy lizards with a famous bright blue tongue. They're curious, tolerate handling well and eat a varied diet, which makes them a brilliant alternative to a bearded dragon.
Blue tongue skinks at a glance
| Adult size | 45–60cm |
| Lifespan | 15–20+ years |
| Vivarium | At least 120 x 60 x 60cm (4ft) for an adult |
| Basking spot | 35–40°C |
| Cool end | 24–27°C |
| Humidity | 40–60% (Australian species); higher for Indonesian species |
| UVB | T5 tube, 6–10% |
1. The vivarium
Skinks are ground dwellers, so floor space matters more than height. A 4ft wooden vivarium is the minimum for an adult, and bigger is better. See the Vivexotic Repti-Home Maxi Large and all vivariums.
2. Heat and UVB
- Provide a basking spot at one end with a basking lamp on a dimming thermostat.
- Add a UVB tube across about half the vivarium, such as a Leap T5 UVB fixture. See UV lighting.
- Guard all lamps. See guards and reflectors.
- Turn heat and lights off at night unless the room drops below about 18°C.
3. Substrate and decor
Blue tongue skinks love to burrow. Provide 10–15cm of a soil, bark or coir mix that holds burrows. Add hides at both ends, a flat basking stone, and a heavy, shallow water bowl. A bioactive setup works very well. Browse substrates.
4. Diet
Blue tongue skinks are omnivores. A good rough balance for adults is:
- About 50% vegetables and greens: squash, collard and spring greens, dandelion, rocket and green beans.
- About 40% protein: live insects such as crickets and locusts, snails, and cooked lean meat or egg occasionally.
- About 10% fruit: berries, papaya and fig.
Feed juveniles daily and adults two to three times a week.
5. Supplements
Dust food with calcium such as Repashy Calcium Plus HyD a few times a week and a multivitamin like Vetark Nutrobal once a week. See all reptile supplements.
Handling
Skinks are heavy-bodied and should be supported fully with both hands. Handle low to the ground, as falls can injure them. Most become very tame with regular, gentle handling.
Common problems
- Stuck shed on toes and tail: increase humidity with a damp hide.
- Obesity: common in skinks fed too much protein. Watch portion sizes.
- Metabolic bone disease: prevented with good UVB and calcium.
Read our reptile healthcare guide.
