Post by Patrick Kubeja on Oct 2, 2004 19:56:47 GMT -5
Blue Tongue Skink Care Sheet
Lets Start Off With Housing
Ok there are a couple of things you need to know about blue tongue skinks they for one are not climbers there more like Diggers and Burrowers they like to dig and they like space to move around so your going to need a Enclosure for that. So from what I have read on these guys it like you will need a enclosure that is not deep like a fish tank but more like a reptile terrarium which is more like 24”Wx 24”L x 12”H would be prefect it gives them plenty of room to move around and should be around 40 to 60 gallons and with a screen top for air flow, the other terrarium you can use is a 36”L x 18”W x 12”H. plus the lower the height the less wattage bulb you have to use for the basking spot. For Substrate you can use pine shavings, aspen shavings or cypress mulch, shredded newspaper. Avoid carpet and rabbit type aspen shavings it is much thinner and is not good for them.
Temps and Lighting
Ok on temperatures here are what your going to need from what I have read on the cool end should be in the upper 70’s to mid 80’s and the basking spot should be in the 92F to 98F range do not exceed 100F! With a basking spot that will take some experimenting to get it right with a couple of different bulbs a temp gauge is a good thing to have in there as well so you can make sure that it does not get to hot in the basking spot because that could be deadly. Night temperatures should not drop under 70F.You can use a under the tank heater as will with night or daytime temps or a CHE heater.
On lighting it is recommended the you have a UVB lamp on these guys now I have read were Zoo Med 5.0 bulbs are ok same with the Reptsin 5.0 bulb but what I have read is a mercury vapor bulb works good as well. If you go with this bulb please read the directions on the package so you do not fry your guy. Now I believe that if you use the 5.0 Iguana Reptsin lamp it should be like 8 to 10 inches a way from your guy’s body.
Some places I have read do not recommend a UVB lamp but I do. It is how the get the vitamin D3.
Humidity
Humidity is not that big but you do have to do it. The range for these guys should be
Around 25% to 50% humidity which some people say 50% is a little high! The ideal range is in the 25% to 35% range. The way you can do this is one; mist the enclosure or a humidifier. But you have to watch with this because to much humidity is not good for these guys and to little is not good either so if you can keep it at around 25% to 35% when your guy goes to shed it will help him/her out well..
Feeding and Water
Ok these guys have to have water and food to live right! this is what I have read on them.
They need water a nice shallow water bowl will work for them so it cannot tip over to easy. You should always offer water to your guy everyday. Plus they may like to go poop in it so you will have to watch and make sure you clean it everyday.
Now comes the feeding part these guys are omnivores! them just like Iguanas require a variable diet.
One thing I have read is they really like Snails on top of crickets, mealworms, red worms pinkie mice and some high quality dog food and cat food. Now this should be like 40% of there Diet. Now on to the other part of the diet omnivores lizards also eat plant matter. Like collards green, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and veggies like you would feed a Green Iguana and that should be 60% of their Diet. A Good calcium supplement is also recommended.
Taming
Now in the Taming part of this there is not much to do. Sense these animals are very docile and make a great beginner reptile for almost any age. This Blue Tongue Skink should live to be around 20 years old in captivity, if all there needs are met. If you do not have one as of yet! I do encourage you to read up on them before you purchase one.
As I say in all my care sheets this is just a basic care sheet on this guy from what I have read! and I do recommend more research on them if you really want one.
Ps. If you would like to add anything post it in here
Matt
Lets Start Off With Housing
Ok there are a couple of things you need to know about blue tongue skinks they for one are not climbers there more like Diggers and Burrowers they like to dig and they like space to move around so your going to need a Enclosure for that. So from what I have read on these guys it like you will need a enclosure that is not deep like a fish tank but more like a reptile terrarium which is more like 24”Wx 24”L x 12”H would be prefect it gives them plenty of room to move around and should be around 40 to 60 gallons and with a screen top for air flow, the other terrarium you can use is a 36”L x 18”W x 12”H. plus the lower the height the less wattage bulb you have to use for the basking spot. For Substrate you can use pine shavings, aspen shavings or cypress mulch, shredded newspaper. Avoid carpet and rabbit type aspen shavings it is much thinner and is not good for them.
Temps and Lighting
Ok on temperatures here are what your going to need from what I have read on the cool end should be in the upper 70’s to mid 80’s and the basking spot should be in the 92F to 98F range do not exceed 100F! With a basking spot that will take some experimenting to get it right with a couple of different bulbs a temp gauge is a good thing to have in there as well so you can make sure that it does not get to hot in the basking spot because that could be deadly. Night temperatures should not drop under 70F.You can use a under the tank heater as will with night or daytime temps or a CHE heater.
On lighting it is recommended the you have a UVB lamp on these guys now I have read were Zoo Med 5.0 bulbs are ok same with the Reptsin 5.0 bulb but what I have read is a mercury vapor bulb works good as well. If you go with this bulb please read the directions on the package so you do not fry your guy. Now I believe that if you use the 5.0 Iguana Reptsin lamp it should be like 8 to 10 inches a way from your guy’s body.
Some places I have read do not recommend a UVB lamp but I do. It is how the get the vitamin D3.
Humidity
Humidity is not that big but you do have to do it. The range for these guys should be
Around 25% to 50% humidity which some people say 50% is a little high! The ideal range is in the 25% to 35% range. The way you can do this is one; mist the enclosure or a humidifier. But you have to watch with this because to much humidity is not good for these guys and to little is not good either so if you can keep it at around 25% to 35% when your guy goes to shed it will help him/her out well..
Feeding and Water
Ok these guys have to have water and food to live right! this is what I have read on them.
They need water a nice shallow water bowl will work for them so it cannot tip over to easy. You should always offer water to your guy everyday. Plus they may like to go poop in it so you will have to watch and make sure you clean it everyday.
Now comes the feeding part these guys are omnivores! them just like Iguanas require a variable diet.
One thing I have read is they really like Snails on top of crickets, mealworms, red worms pinkie mice and some high quality dog food and cat food. Now this should be like 40% of there Diet. Now on to the other part of the diet omnivores lizards also eat plant matter. Like collards green, mustard greens, dandelion greens, and veggies like you would feed a Green Iguana and that should be 60% of their Diet. A Good calcium supplement is also recommended.
Taming
Now in the Taming part of this there is not much to do. Sense these animals are very docile and make a great beginner reptile for almost any age. This Blue Tongue Skink should live to be around 20 years old in captivity, if all there needs are met. If you do not have one as of yet! I do encourage you to read up on them before you purchase one.
As I say in all my care sheets this is just a basic care sheet on this guy from what I have read! and I do recommend more research on them if you really want one.
Ps. If you would like to add anything post it in here
Matt
