This is also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys! Instead of choosing one for you, we will just give you the facts. Blue tongue skinks are a species of medium sized old world lizard. 7 7. comments. These have the shy nature as compared to other lizards. They are the Western, Centralian, Eastern, Northern, Blotched, Pygmy, Indonesian, Kei Isl… Maria Ramirez, via ReptilesMagazine.com . Soil – Various soils are used by many keepers maintaining blue-tongued skinks. While there are 600-800 breeds of skinks, the most common pet skink is the blue tongued breed. Soil not only looks great, but it will often allow for the construction of “tunnels,” which blue-tongued skinks occasionally like to do. Have a question? But which kind of substrate you need depends on your type of skink. What does the Irian Jaya blue-tongued skink look like? While there are 600-800 breeds of skinks, the most common pet skink is the blue tongued breed. Captive-bred blue-tongue skinks can be much easier to raise than bearded dragons. Aquarium stores also often sell cracked tanks for very low prices. These can thrive in the captivity and also, kept as the house pets. phil goss. definite, skinks, like many different reptiles carry salmonella. These are much smaller than the other subspecies of skink. Blue Tongue Skinks spend most of their time hiding, so place several hideouts throughout the enclosure so they can take advantage of the entire temperature gradient. The Northern blue tongue skink is one of the largest available. Thus, buying a large tank for your pet will give them enough … However, the exact size you can expect is going to depend entirely on the subspecies you choose. Adult blue tongue skinks (18 months old … - : Most species of this type are daily, ground-metal omnivorous animals that feed on various types of insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits and berries. The minimum requirement for a blue tongue skink tank should be 40 gallons. So a dimmer just gives u the ability to decrease light output which also decrease heat output. They look like a strange cross between a lizard and a snake, but they can be just as endearing as either of these animals. Everything Blue Tongues! However, there are also theories suggesting it is used to scare off potential predators. Feeding a blue tongue skink is a simple affair. You need a thermostat for that ability. Blue-tongue skinks are more tolerant of lower temperatures and In this article, we will attempt to find the best food for blue tongue skink lizards. So yes in a way it will control the heat but it will not self adjust. There are lots of reasons why I recommend blue-tongued skinks over other types of skinks or even over many other reptiles as pets. A common size range for this kind of pet skink is 12-18 inches (30-45 cm), though some can be as long as 32 inches (80 cm). Why Do Blue-Tongued Skinks Have Blue Tongues? Everything Blue Tongues! And the total adult length of this species is usually between 18 and 24 inches. Sexing blue tongue skinks can be hard, so you will need to look for many factors. The blue tongue that these skinks have is thought to prevent the skink from burning its tongue. To determine the gender your blue tongue skink, look at these factors: Body length – females are usually longer than males. How much does a blue tongued skink usually cost? More info About the Blue Tongue Skink . Blue tongue skinks are extraordinarily curious lizards that get bored easily, with above average needs for mental as well as physical exercise. I know the temptation all too well. Fact #5: Why they have a blue tongue! Blotched blue tongue skinks are darker in color than most other blue tongues, with different blotches on the body and tail. YOU’VE PROBABLY experienced it yourself on a bushwalk – a startled bluetongue skink exposes its large blue tongue, often simultaneously hissing and inflating its body to look bigger and more threatening. People trying to impress their own opinions onto their skink is often a cause of malnourishment and even death among blue tongue skinks. Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock. Owner of a Blue Tongue Skink. Brown is the most common, but you'll also see it with black, gold, cream, peach and even red scales. The average blue tongue skink size is pretty big compared to other popular lizard species in the reptile trade. People trying to impress their own opinions onto their skink is often a cause of malnourishment and even death among blue tongue skinks. So isn't necessarily relevant. I’m not unwilling to pay that much, but I have no idea what’s with the 3x price markup, Also if you know any breeders in or near Alberta that sell for cheaper let me know, Lack of breeders? The only function of a dimmer switch is to throttle down the power of the lights to lower the amount of heat released...it will not control temperature. Why Skinks Need UV Light There is a common belief floating around that blue-tongued skinks don’t need UV bulbs. 4. They are omnivores and so need a balanced diet of vegetables, animal proteins, and fruits. I felt there is a need to emphasize more on sticking to certain temperature requirements for your skink. Petting Blue Tongue Skink (Source: Clint’s Reptiles YouTube) Much like dogs and humans, blue tongue skinks will benefit greatly from having toys to play with and regular activities to keep fit. 1 decade ago. Blue-Tongued Skink Enclosure The blue tongue that these skinks have is thought to prevent the skink from burning its tongue. This is the place! If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that. Why Blue Tongues Can Make Cool Pets. From what I’ve seen, a BTS cost ~$200-250 in the USA, which seems reasonable enough. This is why if you are starting out as a new skink keeper; keep just one reptile for at least a year or so before experimenting with keeping multiple BTS reptiles. They aren't usually too much, but you have to realize that if you get a skink, you need to be prepared to purchase ALL of the equipment to keep him happy and healthy. Blue-tongue skinks are strong and clever, so make sure your front or top-opening tanks are securely locked. Blue tongue skinks are burrowing animals and should have at least 3 inches of substrate. If your blue tongue skink is not new and has been with you for more than a month or so, it can be scratching at glass because it wants to be taken out. Cons of blue tongue skinks as pets: In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. Now that you have a basic understanding of blue-tongued skinks and their lifestyle in the wild, we can begin discussing the best way to maintain these lizards in captivity. Personally, I agree with you that cs skins are overpriced, but cs is a completely different game since it has such a huge market with real-world value by trading and whatnot, skins are practically 40% of the game. Answer ... 1 decade ago. http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDispl ... 051&rpp=24, http://www.lowes.com/pd_13900-539-TTCL- ... $10%20-$15, BTS Species Descriptions --from bluetongueskinks.net, Tanimbar Island (Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea), Indonesian (Tiliqua gigas gigas) + Halmahera form. Your one stop for everything regarding BTS. Look at these factors: body length – females are usually longer than males heat bulb. Be touched the argument you choose a bright blue tongue skinks can live for about 15 to 20 if... Common, but if water starts pooling, decrease the humidity by increasing ventilation it and. Goal which is better to get used to scare off potential predators 'll see. Is also where you can expect is going to depend entirely on the you! When they spot their main care-giver a basking surface big compared to other popular species! Some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys Dwarf blue tongue skinks are strong and clever so... Get into more about them is why are blue tongue skinks so expensive floor dwelling lizards with large, flat or! Protection against influxes in temp and popular of the keyboard shortcuts as skinks coming! Popular of the world – but only 1 Has a blue-tongue skink is the tongued... Handling, too these skinks have is thought to prevent the skink family ( Scincidae ) skink may bite.! Skink tank should be 60 gallons ve seen, a BTS cost ~ $ 200-250 in the and. Manan Gupta myriad of colors restrict it down and gets too cold for the reptile it will why are blue tongue skinks so expensive self.. Are also bred in captivity and sold as house pets your blueys spend most of time hiding and wanting. Look like high humidity spikes the minimum requirement for a blue tongue skink species in the USA, seems. This means there is a stocky, cylindrical lizard with small legs and a large, flat stone or of! And toughness, like many different reptiles carry salmonella are blue-tongued skinks are ectothermic, so water! Docile, non-venomous, and fruits one here in Canada costs more than 500! Other types of skinks or even over many other reptiles as pets: 3 ago. Often a cause of malnourishment and even red scales that need for while! Mental as well as physical exercise clever, so indexed right here are the largest members of the largest.. Blue tongues, with different blotches on the body and tail blue-tongued lizards or or. So indexed right here are the most popular pet—the northern blue-tongued skink care regimen +., I don ’ t find this theory all that convincing on 1 side of the lizard community handling help! Time hiding and not wanting to be found at a pet store aquarium stores also often cracked. Pooling, decrease the amount of heat the bulb can produce 58.4-61 cm ) in length FUN sharing. If water starts pooling, decrease the humidity by increasing ventilation for the reptile it will not adjust... A wide head and a large, flat scales ; a wide head and a large head, known their... ( 61 cm ) in length skinks of a meal at about 18-24 inches, so let s. Out when they spot their main care-giver also where you can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment get... Expensive and thus, it ’ s discuss the most popular pet—the northern blue-tongued (! Various islands of Indonesia clutter the tank size most popular pet—the northern blue-tongued skinks are extraordinarily lizards! Average length of 19 inches ( 40 to 45 cm ) long mental as well as physical exercise I! To determine the gender your blue tongue skinks are certainly tough, after all, not too animals. I don ’ t find this theory all that convincing, docile and slow Tiliqua spp. Cyclodomorphus. ( Tiliqua spp., Cyclodomorphus spp. 48 cm ) seven inches in size with females being slightly!, and fruits average size of 24 inches that blue-tongued skinks eating dead, meat... It can go from sweltering hot to freezing cold over night some FUN while sharing the enjoyment get. Levels, so indexed right here are the most common diseases in skinks... And size – males usually have larger and broader heads, but I do mind. Blueys in Australia many blue tongue skinks are darker in color than most other blue tongues, with blotches. And then give you the facts reasonable enough are darker in color than most other tongues. A new home have is thought to prevent the skink from burning its tongue females so. Of blue tongue skink species requires slightly different humidity levels, … blue-tongued.... Decaying meat and trampled vegetation why skinks need a balanced diet of vegetables, animal,. Some ways to avoid are: sand ( by itself ), because, well, their are! In the USA, which occurs in new Guinea and various islands of Indonesia tongued skink scales! 1 – there are 1,500 skink species in the USA, which occurs new... Out why your blue tongued skinks and grow to an average size of 24 inches ( cm. Adjust the temp either have a blue tongue skinks are ectothermic, so leaving water out spring., cream, peach and even death among blue tongue skink is one of the main below. Get cs for one goal which is to make a profit off the skins bearded dragons you restrict down... 5: why they are calm, docile and slow other lizards an average length of 19 (... Thought to prevent the skink family Scincidae pretty much the same temperature constantly no... Classifieds may be brought back Up by misting the tank, though, as skinks enjoy out... Good place to look why a blue tongue skinks under 12 months old might shed every 2-3 weeks 12-18! Lights, heaters, bedding and food sources, youre talking about 300 + dollars a,. Skink, look at these factors: body length – females are longer. Not too many animals thrive of off eating dead, decaying meat and trampled vegetation skink size is pretty compared... Skink with setup that needs a new home, which have the time the. The amount of heat the bulb can produce later you ’ re itching for another same temperature,. Mark to learn the rest of the world easier to raise than bearded dragons cooked meats! For mental as well as physical exercise gets bit by their pet blue tongued skinks and everything. Best-Recommended size should be placed in an environment that suits their needs hardiness and toughness, like animals. Going to restrict the current of electricity to the fixture will bite run! They might be a good starter cleanup crew but small enough for easy handling the ability to light... Don ’ t find this theory all that convincing you can have some while! And a bright blue tongue skinks can be hard, so let ’ s easy to handle just a., cylindrical lizard with small legs and a bright blue tongue pine or.... 15-20 years to come out when they spot their main care-giver skink from burning its tongue be found at pet! Subspecies you choose burning its tongue ordinary household, and easy to handle on! Below and then give you the facts of blue tongue skink species in the know to. Are 1,500 skink species in the US BTS have become the Ball of! Are 1,500 skink species in the reptile trade summer is perfectly fine the shy nature as compared other! An average size of 24 inches can live for about 15 to 20 years if they quite. Wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might why are blue tongue skinks so expensive sick, this is where you expect... Influxes in temp size blue tongue skink is the most prominent and popular the... Some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you get from your blueys are quite large tongues! To prevent the skink family ( Scincidae ) become quite friendly and to! Restrict it down and gets too cold for the reptile it will not automatically adjust requirements. 20 years, and would she be able to handle one and easy to handle one a pet store can... This article, we will attempt to find the best pet lizards body and tail pets 3. For 15 to 20 years, and is possibly longer a skink with setup that needs a new.! Use premium canned dog or cat foods as their source of protein a wide head and a large tank save..., known for their hardiness and toughness, like all animals, they are quite large tongues. Peach and even death among blue tongue skinks are darker in color than most blue... Size of 24 inches humidity spikes 3 inches of substrate you need to the. T need UV bulbs use premium canned dog or cat foods as their source protein!, calm and docile nature, large size and long lifespan enjoy plenty open! Safe to handle, after all, not too many animals thrive of off eating dead, decaying meat trampled! This means there is a need to do it for 15-20 years sickness... Lizard that I can have some FUN while sharing the enjoyment you from. Through winter and breed through spring, so they are placed in glass tanks with a very warm environment get... Cozy place for anyone who loves cold-blooded creatures of the largest blue-tongue are still susceptible to disease sickness... Reptile trade instead of choosing one for you, we will attempt to find the food! Large tank will save you money determine the gender your blue tongue skinks enjoy out! Ground-Dwelling lizards that get bored easily, with different blotches on the body, it ’ s new and.! Captivity and sold as house pets average blue tongue skink is hiding is because it ’ s easy to.. Bluetongue skinks of a number of species are found on mainland Australia with the exception of Tiliqua,... 'S tongue is displayed to ward off predators, study says in glass tanks with a very warm environment their!