Common Blue-Tongued Skink
(Tiliqua scincoides scincoides)

Common Blue-Tongued Skinks have a heavy build with small legs and toes. Common Blue-Tongued Skinks also have the typical triangular blunt head of most other skinks. Common Blue-Tongued Skinks get their name from a bright blue tongue in their pink or red mouths. The Common Blue-Tongued Skink is sometimes also known as the Eastern Blue-Tongued Skink and can often be found in semi-desert to agricultural areas of most of eastern Australia and the upper third of the Northern Territory, far northern Western Australia, and southeastern South Australia. Common Blue-Tongued Skinks can reach sizes of up to two feet in length but usually don't grow larger than 18 inches. The Common Blue-Tongued Skink is generally tan with darker uniform or semi-broken bands or blotches across the body that becomes more blotched on the tail. Some Common Blue-Tongued Skinks have a dark stripe from the back of the head to the eye. Their legs are usually grey and unmarked. The most distinguishable feature of the Common Blue-Tongued Skink (and the easiest way to separate this subspecies from the Northern, or Irian Jaya localities) is the presence of thin dark stripes lengthwise along the body. The Common Blue-Tongued Skink is one of the hardier and popular species found in the pet trade.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE:Common Blue-Tongued Skinks can make a good beginner pet. They do require specialized lighting however.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (10 gallons to 55 gallons or larger, depending on the size and number of Common Blue-Tongued Skinks kept) with a secure lid with clamps

Substrate, such as:

• Aspen Shavings
• Newspaper
• Indoor/Outdoor Carpeting

A heating element, such as:

• UV producing bulb
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

Hatchling Common Blue-Tongued Skinks can be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium, but adults should be housed in a 55 gallon larger sized enclosure if more than two Common Blue-Tongued Skinks are kept in the enclosure. Common Blue-Tongued Skinks are ground dwellers and do not need many rocks or branches to climb, but a hide box should be provided for your Common Blue-Tongued Skink. A secured screen top is also needed for ventilation. Do not house two adult male Common Blue-Tongued Skinks together as they are territorial and will fight for space in the enclosure.

Substrate

The substrate or bedding that you use is one of the most important parts of your Common Blue-Tongued Skink's home, since your Common Blue-Tongued Skink will be spending much of its time on it. Aspen shavings make an excellent substrate. Indoor/Outdoor carpeting can also be used as an effective substrate for your Common Blue-Tongued Skink. Be sure to have at least two identical pieces so that you can simply place the clean piece of carpeting in the enclosure while you rinse and disenfect the soiled piece. You can then allow the newly cleaned piece of carpeting to dry for the next days use. It's important to note that you should completely rinse the carpet after cleaning it to be sure there is no residual chemicals remaining on the carpet that could irritate your Common Blue-Tongued Skink. Other substrates such as newspaper or paper towels can also be used. Part of the enclosure can be covered with a slightly damp substrate like sphagnum moss to provide extra humidity to help with shedding.Be sure to clean it often to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Heating and Light

Common Blue-Tongued Skinks should have daytime temperatures of 75°F to 85°F with a 90°F to 95°F basking area under a spotlight. Nightime temperatures should be 70°F to 80°F. Common Blue-Tongued Skink require UV light for proper metabolic and bone development. This can be provided with fluorecent bulbs or mercury vapor spot lights which also provide heat. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures. We do not recommend the use of any kind of heat rocks as they can often lead to burns on your Common Blue-Tongued Skink

Diet

Common Blue-Tongued Skinks are omnivorous (eating both plant and animal matter). Common Blue-Tongued Skinks do well on a a diet consisting of 60% plant material and 40% animal protein will provide a healthy mix. Frozen mixed vegetables, various greens, crickets, mealworms, and thawed pre-killed frozen mice can all be fed to your Common Blue-Tongued Skink. Fresh water should be provided daily.