🦎Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua spp.)

A calm, inquisitive lizard with a signature blue tongue and a friendly attitude—perfect for beginner to intermediate keepers.

Origin: Australia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea
Size: 45–60 cm (18–24 inches)
Lifespan: 15–20 years in captivity
Temperament: Docile, intelligent, and easy to tame
Activity: Diurnal and terrestrial

🏠 Housing

• Minimum enclosure size: 120 cm x 60 cm x 60 cm (4' x 2' x 2') for an adult

• Provide ample floor space for movement and digging

• Add at least two hides (cool and warm side)

• Use logs, rocks, and plants for enrichment and cover

• Secure lid essential—skinks are surprisingly strong

• Substrate: Use cypress mulch, aspen, or soil/sand mixes for Australian types; keep slightly more humid substrates like coco fibre or bioactive blends for Indonesian species. Avoid dusty or overly damp options.

🌡️ Temperature & Lighting

• Basking spot: 35–38°C (95–100°F)

• Cool side: 22–26°C (72–79°F)

• Night temperature: No lower than 18°C (64°F)

• Use a basking lamp and thermostat-controlled heating

• Provide a 10–12% T5 UVB tube covering at least half the enclosure

• Maintain a 12–14 hour day/night cycle

💧 Humidity

• Australian species: 30–40%

• Indonesian species: 60–80%

• Mist lightly if needed (especially for Indonesian types)

• Provide a humid hide to aid in shedding

💧 Water

• Use a shallow dish large enough for soaking

• Change water daily and clean the dish regularly

🥗 Feeding

• Omnivorous: a balanced mix of protein, vegetables, and fruit

• Protein: cooked lean meats, boiled egg, insects (crickets, roaches, BSFL)

• Veg: dark leafy greens, squash, carrots, peas

• Fruit: occasional berries, mango, papaya

• Feed juveniles daily, adults every 2–3 days

• Use calcium powder 4–5x per week, multivitamin 1x per week

🧼 Cleaning

• Spot clean daily

• Full substrate change and disinfect monthly

• Replace UVB bulb every 6–12 months depending on brand