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Why own a blue tongue skink?
Ø Blue tongue skinks (BTs) may be the easiest of all lizards to keep. Ø They are great pets for reptile enthusiasts of all levels. Ø They have tons of personality and great dispositions. Ø BTs have simple caging requirements and uncomplicated diets. Ø Live food is not required, so there is no need to run to the pet store and buy crickets. Ø They are very curious, which is a mark of intelligence. Ø They are extremely hardy and docile. Ø BTs have a life expectancy of 15-20 years. Ø BTs are often listed as one of the top five reptile choices for children and beginners. Ø Many reptiles don’t like to be handled, some tolerate it, but BTs seem to enjoy the attention. Ø They will consistently reward and surprise their keepers with their friendly and curious personalities. Ø They are the ultimate pet lizard!
Basic Husbandry
Cage- Adult BTs require a cage that is no smaller than a 30 gallon aquarium, but the bigger, the better. They are terrestrial, so floor room is much more important than height.
Accessories- A hide box/shelter should be provided to allow them a place to rest. BTs do not need climbing branches, but rocks or logs can be provided for basking. A water bowl large enough for the skink to soak should be available. BTs may soak a couple days before shedding.
Humidity- Most species of BTs are from semi-dry areas and require only low humidity with adequate ventilation.
Substrate- Newspaper, aspen, recycled newspaper pellets, artificial turf, etc. can all be used. Whatever substrate is used, be sure the skink does not ingest it. NOTE: cedar chips, clay cat litter, and orchid bark should never be used due to toxicity and respiratory problems that may arise, as well as added risk of impaction.
Lighting- Conflicting opinions about BTs need for full-spectrum lighting are held. There are several documented cases of BTs being raised successfully without any exposure to full-spectrum lighting. We do use Zoo Med™ 10.0 linear fluorescent bulbs in our BT enclosures. Zoo Med™ produces the finest quality reptile products. Buying bulbs from any other company is a waste of money. Don't believe the package unless it says Zoo Med™.
Temperature- Provide a thermo-gradient in the enclosure with a basking spot of between 90-100°F. This can be accomplished with an under tank heater, an incandescent basking light (or heat emitter), or a combination. Overhead lamps are appreciated as they allow the BTs to bask. The cool end of the enclosure should range between 75-85°F. Nighttime temperatures should not drop below 70°F.
Diet/Feeding While BTs are extremely hearty animals who will thrive on just about any diet, a well-balanced diet will result in a more active, healthier skink. They are omnivorous and should be fed a combination of meats, fruits, and vegetables. Variety is the most important aspect of their diet. Switch protein sources and use diversity when feeding canned foods. A balance of about 50% meats and 50% fruits/veggies is preferred.
Adults should be fed every 3-4 days. Young BTs do best when fed every other day. Feed them as much as they will eat. Obesity problems seen in other lizards are rarely seen in BTs. Uneaten food should be removed when the skink is finished.
A quality vitamin/calcium supplement with vitamin D3 may be important. A sprinkle over the food every third feeding is sufficient for adults (every other meal for young BTs). We use Zoo Med™ Reptivite. Experts also disagree about the need for this supplementation, but it is usually recommended. Below is a list of menu items for your BTs. Feel free to try other possibilities.
PROTEINS:
FRUITS & VEGGIES:
We feed canned Wellness™, Eagle Pack™, and Nature’s Variety™ brands of dog/cat food as a primary diet. Several other brands are also great choices. If feeding canned dog/cat foods, be sure to feed only super premium foods with no by-products and no meat/bone meal. Many foods are also available with fruits and vegetables included, which is not a substitute for fresh foods, but is better than 100% protein foods. Cat foods usually contain twice the protein of dog foods. We feed mainly dog food diets to our skinks. If a skink appears thin or has just been rescued from improper conditions, cat/kitten food will help add weight.
Zoo Med™ is the only reptile food brand we use. The majority of other reptile foods on the market contain little or no nutrition, despite what they advertise with the false information on their packaging. See the guideline below for foods with little or no nutrition (don't believe their packaging). If they contain any or all of the ingredients listed below, they are a low quality food. Also, if a reptile care company makes a cheap food with inadequate nutrition, imagine the inferior quality of the rest of their products.
Below is a simple guideline for foods NOT to use:
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