Pet Keen is reader-supported. Due to their preference for burrows, conservationists have discovered that by creating more burrows, they can improve the population of some of the more endangered species of blue tongued skink. Approximately 50 percent should be vegetables while 10 percent should be sweet fruits. I've had Jeff since January and he has grown quite a bit and has become very comfortable with me. All species are found on mainland Australia with the exception of Tiliqua gigas, which occurs in New Guinea and various islands of Indonesia. Like any other captive reptile, a blue tongue skinks health is directly affected by the level of care you provide. This is how you can differentiate between the three distinct situations. Most Skinks like to dig, so you will want to make sure the substrate is several inches thick. Of course, you should always exercise caution before handling reptiles. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. Avoid using anything too hard. Hes also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films. If it does, the first thing is to not panic. However, you will need to change the bulbs frequently because they stop producing UVB light long before burning out. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion for herpetology, and a connection with the reptile community as a whole. Dealing with Blue Tongue Skink Metabolic Bone Disease, Symptoms and the Treatment of Mites in Skink, Tips and Suggestions on Preventing Escape, Feeding Precautions of the Blue Tongue Skink, Distinguishing Traits of Male and Female Blue Tongue Skink. Inside that mouth, theres a vivid blue tongue, leading to the imaginative name blue-tongued skink. 2. Blue Tongue Skinks are awesome if you can find one! [4] They are relatively shy in comparison with other lizards, and also significantly slower due to their shorter legs. These reptiles should be housed separately from one another rather than in groups. However, two males should never be kept together! Those that have adapted to urbanized living will have more common interactions, but are generally left to their own devices as they prey on pesky insects in gardens. For the Australian Aboriginal myth, see. Its an easy-going reptile that adapts well to many environments. They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. Its one of the largest varieties and can reach 20 inches or more. Blue-tongued skinks are solitary creatures that spend their days searching for food and basking in the sun. However, if you feel like there could be an injury, its best to separate them and try again with a different mate. An ordinary spray bottle will help you control humidity levels. So, you should look out for swollen or curved limbs soon so that you can treat them early. You need to train your pet lizard to go out for peeing; this is not a very difficult job since these animals only urinate once in a day. It seems that the increase in centipedes is outweighed by the inprovements in lizard accommodation, which is great news for the species success! It is always sad to see your beloved pet die but you have to check for the symptoms, take them to the vet soon to eliminate this risk. However, in some cases lethargy is due to natural processes and nothing to worry about. Blue-tongued skinks, or 'blueys' are some of the largest skinks around. The Northern blue tongue skink is one of the largest available. However, these reptiles can live longer. A team of pet enthusiasts and I created this website to help other reptile keepers take care of their pets! Along with humidity, you should also keep the heat and light in check. Any of the above-mentioned is a sign of an issue in their stomach. They will perform necropsy that will help determine the cause. We know a care guide cant cover everything! Impaction is serious among reptiles and if it remains untreated then it can become lethal all too sudden. When hes not writing, Ed is usually performing DIY projects around the house or working in the garden. If you see something like that, get your skink to the vet immediately. A water dish will allow your pet to submerge itself for even more relief. Planning the perfect habitat for a blue tongue skink is much easier than most people think! The legs of these amazing lizards are small, too. Do this close to the carpet or something soft just in case you drop it! 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. Their needs are relatively easy to manage and they dont require any intense husbandry. When kept as pets, theyre easy to hand-feed. The Blotched Blue Tongued Skink is usually a lighter color with darker spots, but the pattern can reverse, causing the body to be dark with light spots. You can also dust food with calcium powder for good measure. This species is beautiful,, 11 Types Of Chameleons That Make The Best Pets, Ackies Monitor Care: Size, Enclosure, Lifespan, Diet, Brazilian Rainbow Boa Care: Setup, Diet, Size & More, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mice? This natural balance is a great example of a limiting factor; an environmental pressure to keep an animal from overpopulating. They need some humidity, but not too much of it. For example, desert Sinks will want a dryer, sandier substrate, while those from wetter areas will do better with a mulch. Inbreeding in dense populations is a common issue, as bad genes can be combined to make unhealthy offspring. This type of reaction, called a deimatic display,. Younger and still developing Blue Tongued Skinks should eat plenty of insects to build strong muscle, but once they are fully grown, you can feed them a diet that consists of as much as 40% fruits and vegetables. Being the largest member of the skink family, the blue-tongued skink appears as a long lizard with short and stubby legs. Because youre not going to be using a ton of decorations, youll need to pay closer attention to the essentials. Your Blue-tongued skink can eat all available cricket species, calcium worms (Black Soldier Fly larvae) morios, locust, silkworms, dendrobaena (earth worms), varied roach species and snails. If your pet has fallen prey to this disease, there is no going back as you cannot reverse it. If your blue tongue skink is sneezing a lot, it can mean that the substrate is dusty or too fine, and is getting in the nose. After all, knowing the real reason for their death is important so that you can eliminate all the risks if you choose to get a new skink. The pellets included up to 8 varieties of dried fruit blended to achieve rich fruity flavor. Stay calm and don't make any sudden movements, or it will stress out your skink. They dont want the humans (or other animals) to spot their weakness, so this is very natural. Skinks are extremely active reptiles and love to explore, so bigger is better. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. It's usually brown, orange, black, and grey, but can be found in other colors too, including light blue. Can You Bring a Dead Blue Tongue Skink to the Vet To Find Out the Cause of Death? The average blue tongue skink size is pretty big compared to other popular lizard species in the reptile trade. The mating ritual can appear violent, and the male can claw and bite the female to help get into position. Blue tongued skinks are hunted by a variety of large and medium-sized predators, most notably including birds of prey, large snakes and monitor lizards (goannas). Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink. This means its best to keep the habitat relatively bare. Still, providing a large water dish is essential. Didn't find what you need? Wild-caught food is the easiest way to pass parasites to your pet accidentally, and we recommend captive-bred food when possible. It can also give you closure around the sudden death of your pet. This pelleted food made to meet the dietary requirements of your sugar glider. Lizards maintain more moisture from their urine than we do and the resulting waste is a solid or semi-solid mass of uric acid crystals. Learn more about the variety of species and their unique adaptations below. More often than not, these problems are directly caused by high humidity levels in the enclosure. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? As long as you follow the care guidelines we listed in the sheet above, youll be all set! Expert Tip: Use a solid dish that cant be tipped over. Blue tongue skinks are large and heavy. The protein content in their diet should be animal-based. Blue-Tongued Skink Care Sheet For First-Time Owners - Everything Reptiles The general temperature of the tank should be kept between 70 and 80. However, you need to set a routine for it so that you do not have to clean its enclosure every second day. The Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skink is another large reptile that can exceed 20 inches, but its extremely rare and maybe a hybrid. Moreover, this will be accompanied by sticky mucus in their mouth. On the opposite side of the enclosure, you can create a basking area. This design makes it easy to handle your reptile and gain access to the interior. These are stocky, heavy lizards and arent particularly agile, so ambushing prey works best for them. Those UVB rays are necessary for metabolizing calcium. Keep reading while we take a deep dive to learn as many facts about the Blue Tongued Skink as we can. In this, the shed sticks to their feet or eyes and causes them harm. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. This is the most confusing sign of all as you dont understand the breathing patterns of a blue tongue skink. So monitor your skink closely for bloody feces, lethargy, loss of appetite, and other such symptoms. some species give birth to only a single or handful of offspring, like the Adelaide pygmy, while others can produce as many as 24 babies. I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and many other reptiles. They have pretty healthy appetites and arent particularly picky about the things they consume. They have adapted themselves to the wild, but when they are in captivity, then the same habits resurface again. [5] The pygmy blue-tongue is again the exception, being primarily an ambush predator of terrestrial arthropods. There is a reduction of weight from the ribs as well. Your one stop for everything regarding BTS. There are a number of different species, but they mostly utilize the same types of habitats. Its essential to get one done for the reptiles if you want to adopt more reptiles in the future. You might see specimens that have dark brown and black stripes, those with light-colored skin, and those with large spots. Gray, J.E. The blue-tongue is really a skink. According to Laurie Hess, UV light is good for the lizards as it benefits them. When youre choosing an enclosure, its important to consider how these animals act in the wild. Sometimes, lizards dont eat for weeks, which can trigger weight loss. Their first line of defense is to simply remain undetected by hiding or relying on their cryptic body coloration. Blue tongue skinks, also known as blue-tongued skinks, are an Australian genus of reptiles that are members of the skink (Scincidae) family. They are not climbers, so surface area of the ground is more important than vertical climbing space. UVB lighting is meant to replicate the effects of the suns rays, which are crucial for good health. It may be possible to keep two females together or a bonded male and female pair. 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. Always choose a pet that has been bred in captivity rather than captured from the wild. All species are ground dwelling, and hunt amongst the lower vegetation and rocks during the day. Learn more. That's just the beginning of their craziness, too! What Are the Signs of a Blue Tongue Skink Dying? You can expect your Blue Tongued Skink to live between 15 and 18 years if you are able to maintain the proper habitat. The screened lid will promote ventilation, which helps to manage humidity levels a bit. Most species, save for the shingle back, have smooth,flat scales. The diet of a blue tongue skink can have a big impact on the appearance of their poop. 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 When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. They will also feed on fruits, flowers, and berries, if they come across them. As soon as you take them out, they will understand the business and go for it. These lizards are native to Australia, new Guinea, and Tasmania, where they live in a mixture of scrubland, woodland, and semi-desert areas. Over on the cool end, temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The main feature of the genus is a large blue tongue that can be used to scare away enemies. Heat lamps are the best way to increase the temperature, and they also provide your pet with a basking spot that it will enjoy. Some will even plan out meals ahead of time and break down the nutrient profile for better control. This blue tongue skink is recognizable from other subspecies by a short tail, a bold black band behind each eye, and a thicker patterning along the body. Moreover, it will help prevent the same mistakes and let you know if the disease was transferrable to other pets or not. A blue tongue skink is likely to pee or poop on you if you are not holding it correctly or if it's scared. This is one of the rarest skink species, and they usually cost between $250-$400. But when captured, or away from their natural habitat, such issues are common to arise. 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 fact, frequent handling can help them recognize you, and they will become more relaxed and less likely to take a defensive posture. It has a yellow, orange body with black markings that can be bands or spots. Some blue tongue skinks dont poop for a day or two but if this is unusual for your pet then you need to get it checked. Australia has more species of skinks than . Remember, crawling floor space is the most important thing. That means that one side of the tank/cage will be hotter than the other. 4, Why is the tongue of blue-tongued skinks blue? Skink's poop and pee from the same opening called Cloaca. In fact, its easy to mistake skinks for snakes when they are buried or partially hidden! They may develop bone deformities, fractures, and more. These creatures are covered in scales and have a smooth shape that closely resembles a snake. Reptiles are becoming more and more popular in America because they have long lifespans and are relatively easy to raise. There are 7 species of blue-tongue in Australia. What You Should Do if Blue Tongue Skinks Pees on You? Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skink. Most Blue Tongued Skinks have a similar diet to other reptiles. Blue Tongue Skink Pee (Source: WL Fun Time YouTube) Yes, they do. The skin after shedding is delicate, and if rubbed hard, it could lead to an injury. They are shy at first, but overall they're very friendly. Blue-tongued skinks [2] comprise the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). It may seem cruel to some, but this will ease pain and suffering. Blueys love burrows. Lethargic Restless Behaviour Irregular Shedding Loss Of Appetite Random Wounds You Are Not Cleaning Their Urine. Im wondering if this is ok or if I need to worry. Your Blue Tongued Skink can shed quite frequently, especially while it is still growing. Blue-tongues will get bedding in their water and new fresh water should be provided often. The most common characteristic of these lizards is the blue tongue that is used to warn potential predators. The video below shows you what Metabolic Bone Disease does to your skink. It has a light-colored body with wide bands of brown. Rare blue-tongued skinks such as Centralian and Shinglebacks may cost between $1,500 and $5,000 each. If there is any issue in the body regarding parasites or infection, then the first impact is on the stool. Variety is very important when it comes to the diet of a blue tongue skink. The breathing becomes labored and rapid with crackling sounds. 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. They are known to love attention. When you buy a Blue Tongue skink from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee. Skinks can be found in 47 states although are more widespread in the Southeastern United States with the warmer climates. Like birds they excrete uric acid and other toxins in solid form. The urine of a BTS does not sting, so all you need to do is to wash your hands thoroughly with a good anti-bacterial soap and then apply a moisturizer to keep your skin in a good shape and to suppress the smell. PEPET'S SUGGY A Basic Diet for Marsupial Pepets Suggy is a nutritionally fortified diet. They should be fed a wide variety of protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Yes, blue tongue skinks actually make very good pets. Sneezing is natural and helps your blue tongue skink clean its nose. Pygmy blue-tongued skinks are the smallest and rarest of the skink species, measuring a mere 4 inches (10 cm) in length at the max. These lizards are unique, docile, and easy to care for. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Mites or ticks might attach themselves to their skin and damage them from the outside. Brown Green Gray Blue Tongue Skinks make for a great pet because they are low maintenance and friendly. . They would eat plants, insects, animals, etc., to satisfy their hunger. These are diurnal, or daytime, skinks and typically sneak up on their prey, crushing it with their powerful jaws. You can install a UVB light over the enclosure and leave it on for 12 to 14 hours per day. These skinks come from Indonesia and usually cost about $375. They are also called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues, shinglebacks or the sleepy lizard in Australia. Blue-tongued skinks like to diet on a variety of insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits and berries. 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. These are diurnal, or daytime, skinks and typically sneak up on their prey, crushing it with their powerful jaws. You can use glass or wood, as both will work well. Latest posts by Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team. Why Do Ball Pythons Yawn & Should You Be Worried? The Centralian Blue Tongued Skink is another larger Skink that can reach 17 inches or more and has an almost obese appearance. This is perfectly normal. Reptiles are generally found in the wild, so they hide pretty well not to be caught by a predator whenever there is any injury. When youre keeping one in captivity, your goal should always be to replicate their environment and provide a biologically appropriate diet. Northern blue tongue skinks are native to northern parts of Australia. Are you ready to learn more about blue-tongued skinks? Oftentimes, the lizard will use it to ward off potential predators. You should consider feeding legumes, leafy greens, and other vegetables with a small amount of protein in moderation as an enhancement. You wont be able to see the UVB light, so make sure that youre changing out the bulb every 6 months for good measure. Blue-tongue lizards have developed a resistance to the venom of the red-bellied black snake, according to new research. Check the humidity levels and open up the top of the tank to let some of that humid air out! Youre not going to see blue tongue skinks drinking very often. It has a stout body and short legs. Featured Image Credit: Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Image Credit: JJ Harrison, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0 Unported). Tanimbar Island skinks are smaller, ranging in size from 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 cm) in length. So, if you find any such sign, you should first check the humidity and temperature of the tank and then give them water. For juvenile blue tongue skink, you will need a 40-50 gallon tank. These reptiles are quite hardy and have few health problems as long as you provide plenty of calcium. Maybe the blue tongue skink was not showing you the signs of weakness or you did not have enough knowledge about this. On average, a Blue Tongue Skink costs from $150 to a few hundred USD. Depending on species, they can be found in scrublands, grasslands, mediterranean and temperate forests, tropical rainforests, and even deserts. Its always best to keep track of their weight weekly and if you see a drop, then inform the vet. In fact, we consider blue tongue skink care to be something anyone can manage (no matter how much experience they have). Its also low maintenance once you have the habitat set up, and it will only require food and heat lamp replacements to live a long life. Blue-tongued skinks make up the Australasian genus, Tiliqua, which has some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). Not only do they have long, crayon-colored tongues, but they can also hatch eggs inside of their bodies and amputate their own tails in an emergency. The findings showed that once theyve found a garden they like, they spend about 70% of their time there, returning to safe spaces at night. They will live in woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, but also easily adapt to urban environments like parks and gardens. Halmahera Blue . Too much humidity can cause respiratory infections and skin issues. Yes, the Blue Tongued Skink is quite friendly and doesnt mind when you handle them. At this point, you also need to check if their shedding period, brumation, or breeding period is at its peak. Finger biting is very common in these situations, and although theyre not poisonous, they do have pretty incredible jaw strength and can latch on hard. Ive had bearded dragons and they dont teally pee its more urate but my baby blue tongue slink just pees. They typically cost about $200. However, those lizards are more of an exception rather than the rule. Unlike some lizard species, these skinks are terrestrial, which means that they live on the ground rather than in the trees. Just got a BTS and want to introduce yourself? [Answered]. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Blue Tongue Skink? Blue-tongued skinks[2] comprise the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). It may also take place when a reptile has eaten large-sized insects or due to too low temperatures. There will be no movement in the tank. This way, their pet can brumate in peace. It may look like your pet is dead but keep a check on their breathing. The bowl should be heavy or at least difficult to spill as Tiliqua will tip over any lightweight or unstable water bowls. Why Chocolate Is Toxic To Dogs (Vet Answer), Goldfish Aquaponics 101: Feeding, Stocking, & Care Guide, Cute Frogs: 9 Pictures That Will Make You Happy, How to Hold a Guinea Pig Correctly (with Pictures & Videos). Old wives tales about blue tongue skinks are rampant, and all are untrue. Because Skink's body absorbs 90% of the liquid, their poop is not runny or liquid. Their drab colours are relieved by darker bands. If the humidity and temperature in the tank are not optimal, then the blue tongue skink can suffer from dysecdysis. But if thats not the case and still the weight loss is happening, contact your vet. 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. The number of young produced also varies. The blue tongue skink species ( Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) is a blue tongued lizard, also commonly referred to as blue tongues in Australia. Yes, the Blue Tongue Skink will make a great pet and is suitable for children. Normal Blue tongue skink poop is firm, elongated, light to dark brown and odor-free. Many people find themselves confused between dead, brumating, and sleeping blue tongue skink. This issue mostly arises in wild blue tongue skinks because of their environment. Another old tale purports that blue-tongued skink bites will reappear exactly one year after the bite occurred, this is also untrue.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-leader-1','ezslot_9',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-leader-1-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'animals_net-box-1','ezslot_11',112,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-box-1-0');report this ad. Lizards do not urinate in the conventional sense of the word. Once they get more comfortable in the enclosure, you can start handling them. Clint looks at the these incredible lizards to help you determine if the. If it was due to some infections, you shouldnt use the same tank again. The first is metabolic bone disease. They both have different humidity requirements for the tanks and if they are not met, then things can take an ugly turn. [6] All are viviparous, with litter sizes ranging from 1-4 in the pygmy blue-tongue and shingleback to 5-24 in the eastern and northern blue-tongues. Humidity will need to stay between 40% and 60%. The best vegetables for blue tongue skinks are collard greens, dandelion greens, green beans, arugula, mustard greens, and endive.
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