Northern Blue Tongued Skink
(Tiliqua scincoides intermedia)

Northern Blue Tongued Skinks have a heavy build with small legs and toes. Northern Blue Tongued Skinks also have the typical triangular blunt head of most other skinks. Northern Blue Tongued Skinks get their name from a bright blue tongue in their pink or red mouths. Northern Blue Tongued Skinks prefer tropical or savannah woodlands of Northern Australia and are often considered the largest of the blue-tongued skinks since it can reach lengths of 24 to 27 inches. The Northern Blue Tongued Skink generally has uniform chestnut colored vertical bands with orange shaded off-centered markings on the sides. As with the Common Blue Tongue Skink, the legs are gray and unmarked. Because of their gentler demeanor the Northern Blue Tongued Skink generally makes for the best choice if you want a handleable pet.

Difficulty

NOVICE to MODERATE:Northern 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 Northern 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 Northern 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 Northern Blue Tongued Skinks are kept in the enclosure. Northern 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 Northern Blue Tongued Skink. A secured screen top is also needed for ventilation. Do not house two adult male Northern 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 Northern Blue Tongued Skink's home, since your Northern 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 Northern 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 Northern 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

Northern 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. Northern 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 Northern Blue Tongued Skink

Diet

Northern Blue Tongued Skinks are omnivorous (eating both plant and animal matter). Northern 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 Northern Blue Tongued Skink. Fresh water should be provided daily.