When youre keeping one in captivity, your goal should always be to replicate their environment and provide a biologically appropriate diet. With other lizard species, you have to choose the perfect decorations and plants. You can bring a dead blue tongue skink to the vet to know the reason for their death. The type of predator/threat that is near will determine the intensity of colour present in the tongue. Blue tongue skinks are no different. Yes, the Blue Tongue Skink will make a great pet and is suitable for children. Blue tongue skinks self regulate their body heat. Blue tongue skinks have no separate excretory system organs for digestive waste material and urine. Blue tongue skinks are largely terrestrial which means they dont spend too much time climbing in the trees. You will need 20-40 gallons for baby blue tongue skinks. Avoid using anything too hard. If the humidity and temperature in the tank are not optimal, then the blue tongue skink can suffer from dysecdysis. Halmahera Blue . The best type of enclosure for a blue tongue skink is a glass reptile tank with a screened lid. Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 02:03, "Prey Capture Behavior in the Blue-tongued Skink, Tiliqua scincoides", Department for Environment and Heritage > Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard - fact sheet, "Feeding and Care of Your Blue-Tongued Skink", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue-tongued_skink&oldid=1139424209, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 02:03. The skin after shedding is delicate, and if rubbed hard, it could lead to an injury. By now, you probably understand why were such a big fan of this species. That would look like - staying still for hours, hiding, too weak to even push off their feet and will slither around like snakes instead. blue tongue skink is breathing with their mouth open, Indonesian blue tongue skinks are the most popular varieties that are kept as pets, Why Your Uromastyx Wiggles & How To Stop That, 13 Reasons Why Your Bearded Dragon Is Hiding All Day. Latest posts by Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team. Incubation 100 days; generally give birth in mid-summer Females are ovoviviparous ("egg-live birth") - the mother produces egg cases, which she then carries inside her. Like any other reptile, blue tongue skink care requires you to follow some rather strict guidelines if you want your pet to live a long and happy life. If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that. The blue-tongue is really a skink. If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that. The mating ritual can appear violent, and the male can claw and bite the female to help get into position. The dish should be large enough for the skink to soak in! Their drab colours are relieved by darker bands. Not only do they have a very interesting look, but theyre super low-maintenance! They might hiss, huff, or sneeze occasionally but nothing more. On the opposite side of the enclosure, you can create a basking area. This means they will readily accept most foods without any issues. The white mussy tip on their poop is Urate/ uric acid (pee). The breathing becomes labored and rapid with crackling sounds. True to their name, the blue tongue skink has an eye-catching blue mouth and tongue. Full disclaimer here. It is advisable not to startle or provoke them, as they may bite if they feel threatened. If you have the space in your home to go larger, aim for an enclosure thats closer to 48 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches tall. As for color, theres a bit of variation between subspecies. Mites or ticks might attach themselves to their skin and damage them from the outside. Blue tongue skinks, also known as blue-tongued skinks, are an Australian genus of reptiles that are members of the skink (Scincidae) family. To avoid this, make sure that youre providing those 12 to 14 hours of UVB exposure per day. Adults reach lengths between 18 and 24 inches. But when they are dehydrated, their eyes will seem droopy and have slight haziness. Scientists believed that it was extinct until the 1990s. This particular skink is terrestrial and prefer floor space over climbing area. We know that they recognise relatedness in one another, as they are able to pick mates with the most distant genetic similarities, but how they can tell remains a mystery. Besides its attractive blue tongue, its great because it doesnt mind when you handle them, so you wont have to teach your children to stay away. They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. The UVB light replicates the light of the sun which makes them active and indices appetite too. Blue-tongued skinks are omnivores, meaning they feed on a variety of plants and animals. These reptiles are relatively large, and are some of the largest species in the skink family. Normal Blue tongue skink poop is firm, elongated, light to dark brown and odor-free. The urine of blue tongue lizards is completely transparent and harmless. Yes, blue tongue skinks actually make very good pets. If caught early, they can live with it but the curved bones will stay that way. Then, see if they are limp and seem heavier than normal. You can install a UVB light over the enclosure and leave it on for 12 to 14 hours per day. This stocky reptile becomes fairly large, and is one of the most beloved pet retiles in the world due to their docile nature and unique appearance. Blue Tongue skinks pee; however, it is neither as liquid as mammals, neither the process is same. While in these developed spaces, theyve been documented avoiding roads. In the wild, blue tongue skinks live in semi-dry environments. If a blue tongue has peed or pooped on you, don't panic or throw the skink. The blue tonged (or tongue) skink, also called blue-tongued lizards, are a kind of skink that's a common pet reptile. Rather than climb, these skinks will burrow into the sand and root around in search of prey. You can try to soak your shirt overnight in warm water and a good detergent but there are chances that the smell might not go away. This likely came about because their brightly colored mouth can be very scary-looking when they are threatened! Partnerships between blueys last between about 10 and 43 days a year, and most males observed were classified as monogamous. In reality, the only venomous lizards are the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. An adult blue-tongued skink requires, at barest, an enclosure that measures 36 inches by 18 inches wide by 10 inches tall, with a full screen top. Its a hardy animal that stores fat in its tail, so it cant detach it like the other varieties. Some Skink varieties are smaller, but most will require a larger tank at least four feet long, two feet wide, and at least one foot deep to provide your reptile with enough space t move around. In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. Once you get the habitat going, its inexpensive and easy to raise these pets. As we said, it is easy to mistake a brumating skink for a dead skink but there are a few differences. The largest animals in the skink family, blue-tongues seem to have. If they do not move at all, then check their breathing. The larger the size, the better. It would help if you did a daily checking routine to identify such issues. Blue-Tongue Skinks can be located in both New Guinea and in Australia. Their needs are relatively easy to manage and they dont require any intense husbandry. They have adapted themselves to the wild, but when they are in captivity, then the same habits resurface again. Most species, save for the shingle back, have smooth,flat scales. Over on the cool end, temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a classic skink and grows to about 19 inches. Those UVB rays are necessary for metabolizing calcium. Blueys have been tracked with radio transmitters around gardens in Sydney, Australia. The first thing to note is that in nature, not everything looks the same to everyone. Either way, this box should be big enough for the lizard to get into when theyre feeling a bit overwhelmed. This shows they are aware of a certain danger and go out of their way to mitigate it. This type of reaction, called a deimatic display,. The bowl should be heavy or at least difficult to spill as Tiliqua will tip over any lightweight or unstable water bowls. However, if you feel like there could be an injury, its best to separate them and try again with a different mate. Moreover, if you spot them, they will look slouched instead of an alert posture. Hes also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films. Clint looks at the these incredible lizards to help you determine if the. There are 7 species of blue-tongue in Australia. That being said, many people have had blue-tongues - or rats and mice, which are also prey species for snakes - in their garden or shed for years and have never seen a snake. You might see specimens that have dark brown and black stripes, those with light-colored skin, and those with large spots. Blue-tongued skinks[2] comprise the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). Hence, if it does not respond to you, move around, seem heavy, and is not breathing, then it is dead. Theres a lot that you can feed blue tongue skinks. Jeff is my first reptile and I'm always unsure what's normal so it's always worth questioning some of the littler things. They need some humidity, but not too much of it. A blue tongue skink diet should consist of 50% plant-based, 40% protein-based, and 10% fresh fruit. All blue tongue skinks are members of the genus Tiliqua, and are named for their characteristic blue tongues. Juvenile blue-tongue lizards face many dangers during . The below differences will help you differentiate between these three: A blue tongue skink brumates during the winters, and it starts preparing a couple of days before. Its rare for any animal to die so suddenly, there are usually underlying causes for this to happen. Here are some good options for proteins: Here are some fruits and vegetables you can try in their diet as well: Adult blue tongue skinks will need to be fed every two or three days. These skinks are not dangerous, and their bite is not . This is the most confusing sign of all as you dont understand the breathing patterns of a blue tongue skink. We recommend increasing the humidity with more frequent spraying to help the skin come off easier. From snout to tail measurements, Blue Tongue Skinks average at 17 inches long. However, in some cases lethargy is due to natural processes and nothing to worry about. Australia has more species of skinks than . Blue tongue skinks sneeze because they need to clear their noses from any particles and dust that gets into nostrils. Learn more about the variety of species and their unique adaptations below. The Australian Blue Tongued Skink can grow to reach 15 inches. You can make one yourself out of wood or purchase a premade box thats crafted out of plastic. If your pet has fallen prey to this disease, there is no going back as you cannot reverse it. Make sure that you have a proper UVB lamp like the Reptisun 10.0 and that you dust the feeder insects with calcium. These are diurnal, or daytime, skinks and typically sneak up on their prey, crushing it with their powerful jaws. Otherwise, it will get challenging to save them. Blue Tongued Skink Care - Caring for Reptile Pet Blue Tongue Skinks. WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SELECTIONS YOU WILL FIND INCLUDING BLUE TONGUE SKINKS, RED SIDED SKINKS, CROCODILE SKINKS, TREE SKINKS AND MORE. This problem is most common after the shedding period. However, breeders are getting much better at creating captive bred reptiles, and these pieces are likely to fall in the next few years. It will need to remain on the higher side when shedding the skin. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? The blotched blue-tongued skink is found in southeastern Australia, the western is found in western Australia, and the shingleback is located in Western Australia. We hope you have enjoyed our look into these interesting reptiles and have found the answers you need. This condition takes place because your pet has ingested some substrate particles that are blocking the digestive tract. If your lizard is urinating or passing stool a lot (more than once a day) then reduce its diet. Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. There are several varieties of the Blue Tongue Skink, and they all have slightly different appearances. These lizards are unique, docile, and easy to care for. Parasites can infect the skin and internal organs to the point that it will take only a few hours to kill your pet. Blue-tongued skinks are extremely hardy lizards that will thrive on just about any diet, but a well-balanced diet will result in a more active, healthier blue-tongued skink. We found 37 'blue tongue skink' adverts for you in 'reptiles', in the UK and Ireland Follow this Search Top Searches: tortoise bearded dragon crested geckos iguana ball python leopard geckos pet frogs corn snake hognose sulcata tortoise 100 Each For Sale 6 x blue tongue skink merauke / irian jaya Ipswich 36 days ago New A d 275 Each For Sale The Australian Blue Tongued Skink can grow to reach 15 inches. These animals live in distinct habitats in the wild that cater to their biological needs and lifestyle. If they are slithering like snakes, they cannot get up, or their strength has waned, something is wrong. If we have convinced you to get one for your home, please share this guide to the Blue Tonged Skink on Facebook and Twitter. Its one of the largest varieties and can reach 20 inches or more. If it does, the first thing is to not panic. If you need to increase levels, just mist the enclosure once a day. Tip: If your blue tongue skink is not eating at all, read our article on how to get it to eat again here! At night, temperatures can dip to the low 70s. Pet Keen is reader-supported. Can You Bring a Dead Blue Tongue Skink to the Vet To Find Out the Cause of Death? Blue-tongues are omnivorous and should be fed a combination of proteins, vegetables/greens, and fruits. Over time, theyll sleep all day long for 4 to 6 weeks as well. Incorporate a few rocks and logs into the habitat, but dont go overboard! The average blue tongue skink lifespan is somewhere between 15 and 20 years. A: Blue-tongue lizards are a prey species for some snakes, so it is possible that if you have a blue-tongue lizard in your yard there may also be a snake. The screened lid will promote ventilation, which helps to manage humidity levels a bit. Blue tongue skink poop can vary in appearance depending on the individual lizard's diet. They are not very good climbers, as they have short legs and stout bodies. Being the largest member of the skink family, the blue-tongued skink appears as a long lizard with short and stubby legs. However, two males should never be kept together! While this might sound daunting, blue tongue skink is actually pretty simple (especially compared to a lot of other species). In the wild, they can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including coastal heaths, forests, woodlands, grasslands, and suburban areas. Preferably, you should get a new tank if you have not gone for necropsy because you dont know the reason for their death. They have a unique, Brazilian Rainbow Boas are an absolutely stunning snake that we recommend all the time. Moreover, they are good at hiding any discomfort or pain, so its natural to assume that your reptile is not showing any signs of weakness. When kept indoors, many reptiles that dont have exposure to UVB rays develop bone diseases. In addition, their blue tongue will produce a response in the prey which will in turn diminish the attack. There will be no movement in the tank. An adult blue tongue skink requires a minimum of 8 sq ft of floor space or 120-gallon or a 48x24x18 enclosure. It also helps keep your Skink hydrated. Several subspecies are considered to be part of the larger blue tongue skink family. Usually, in the wild, a blue tongue skink knows its needs, and they live and have its diet accordingly. They are perfectly capable of biting, so you should never handle them forcefully. Theyre quite stubby and easily tuck under the body. It can lead to a swollen abdomen, blood in feces, and a lack of droppings. The most common variant youll see in the reptile trade is the Northern blue tongue skink. Eastern blue-tongued skinks generally shy (Cronin 2014) May avoid areas used by high numbers of humans and domestic dogs (Dutson and Dutson 2016) Skink injury and mortality In New South Wales, Shine and Koenig (2001) report over 8,900 T. scincoides "rescues" over a 10-year period In fact, we consider blue tongue skink care to be something anyone can manage (no matter how much experience they have). Any of the above-mentioned is a sign of an issue in their stomach. These are their safe spaces and with a diversity of lizard shapes and sizes, a diversity of spider burrows to fit them becomes a necessity. Purchase a hygrometer and use it regularly to stay on top of humidity levels. Each needs a relatively large enclosure, no smaller than a 20-gallon aquarium. It may be possible to keep two females together or a bonded male and female pair. It may seem cruel to some, but this will ease pain and suffering. In all, if your blue tongue skink is sleeping a lot during the brumating period, theres nothing to worry about as its natural. Adult blue tongue skinks can live very healthy lives in a tank size of 40 or 50-gallon. A team of pet enthusiasts and I created this website to help other reptile keepers take care of their pets! That's just the beginning of their craziness, too! If your Blue tongue lizard is sick, a common symptom is weakness and lethargy. The Shingleback is the warrior of the Skink varieties. It seems that the life of a bluey is all about finding the balance between food and parasite prevalence, and sadly, too many ticks reduce the animals mobility and energy expenditure. These creatures are covered in scales and have a smooth shape that closely resembles a snake.