Blue-tongued skink — Care Sheet & Morphs

Husbandry requirements

Blue-tongued skink — origin: Australia (east and north); the chimaerea subspecies comes from the Tanimbar Islands (Indonesia). Not listed under CITES, but check local keeping regulations..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min18 °C

Cool side22–26 °C

Warm side28–32 °C

Basking spot35–40 °C

A heliophilic species requiring a genuine hot basking spot. Maintain a clear thermal gradient from one end of the terrarium to the other. Heating controlled by thermostat; a natural nighttime drop down to ~15-18 °C is tolerated.

Enclosure (adult)

120 × 60 × 45 cm

Horizontal terrestrial terrarium (vivarium)

Floor space takes priority over height. One individual per terrarium: a territorial species with a risk of bites and cannibalism when housed together. Provide hides, bark and a humid hide. Secure lid/closure (a good burrower and pusher).

Humidity

40–60 %

Northerns tend towards the lower end of the range (40-50 %), Easterns a little more humid. A humid hide eases shedding; avoid a permanently soggy substrate (risk of dermatitis/infections).

Substrate

Fertiliser-free topsoil/peatCoco fibreAspen shavingsCypress mulch

Provide a layer at least 8-10 cm deep allowing digging and burrowing. Avoid dusty, resinous (pine/cedar) substrates or those with large ingestible particles (risk of obstruction).

UVB

Recommended

Recommended. Linear T5 UVB tube 5-7 % (UVI ~3-4 at the basking spot, over 1/2 to 2/3 of the terrarium). Promotes vitamin D3 synthesis and prevents MBD, even with a calcium-rich diet. Replace the bulb every 6-12 months depending on the model.

Water source

Always available

A large bowl of clean water available at all times, wide enough for the animal to bathe in. Renew daily.

Origin

Scincidae

Australia (east and north); the chimaerea subspecies comes from the Tanimbar Islands (Indonesia). Not listed under CITES, but check local keeping regulations.

Feeding & health

Diet

Omnivore — Snails and slugs, insects (cockroaches, earthworms), quality dog/cat kibble, cooked lean meat

Adult ration ~50 % vegetables/greens, ~40 % protein, ~10 % fruit. A very unfussy eater, hence a high risk of obesity: feed adults 2-3 times/week, juveniles more often. Supplement with calcium (+ D3) and a multivitamin.

Breeding

Viviparous

Litters of 5 to 20 juveniles (sometimes more), independent from birth, after a gestation of about 3-4 months. A winter cooling period (brumation) generally stimulates breeding.

Health watch points

Obesity linked to overfeeding and a lack of exercise/space
Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium or UVB deficiency
Retained shed (dysecdysis), particularly on the toes and tail tip
Internal parasites, common in wild-imported individuals
Stomatitis (mouth rot) and respiratory infections when temperature/humidity are unsuitable

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 4 documented genes and 2 named combos for Blue-tongued skink.

Albino (T-) turner lineRec
White / Wero moonglow (combo)Rec
Hypermelanistic velvetInc.d
Hypomelanistic / SunriseInc.d

Named combos — 2 documented combined morphs

SnowSunglow

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

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Blue-tongued skink × Blue-tongued skink

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the blue-tongued skink.

Is the blue-tongued skink a good reptile for a beginner?▾

Yes, it is one of the most recommended species for beginners: docile, hardy and often nicknamed "the potato of lizards". Captive-bred Northerns are particularly calm, whereas Easterns can be a little livelier.

Is its blue tongue dangerous?▾

No, the species is absolutely not venomous: opening its mouth to display its cobalt-blue tongue, hissing and flattening its body are merely defensive bluffs meant to impress a predator, with no real risk whatsoever.

What size does an adult blue-tongued skink reach?▾

It generally measures between 45 and 60 cm in total length, with a massive sausage-shaped body, short legs and a big triangular head. The Northern subspecies is usually the largest.

What terrarium does it need?▾

Allow at least 120 x 60 x 45 cm for an adult, favouring floor space over height. A single individual per enclosure is essential: this is a territorial species, with a real risk of bites when cohabiting.

How should you set the terrarium temperature?▾

It needs a genuine basking hot spot between 35 and 40 °C, a general warm zone of 28 to 32 °C and a cool side of 22 to 26 °C, with a clear gradient from one end of the enclosure to the other. At night, a natural drop to about 18 °C poses no problem.

Is UVB lighting needed?▾

Yes, even with a calcium-rich diet: a linear T5 UVB tube at 5-7% covering half to two thirds of the terrarium, replaced every 6 to 12 months, promotes vitamin D3 synthesis and prevents metabolic bone disease.

What humidity should you maintain?▾

A moderate humidity of 40 to 60% is sufficient, rather towards the lower end for Northerns and a little more humid for Easterns. A humid hide eases shedding, but a permanently soggy substrate leads to dermatitis.

What does a blue-tongued skink eat?▾

It is a very undemanding omnivore: snails, slugs, insects, quality dog or cat kibble and lean cooked meat, for roughly 40% protein, 50% plant matter and 10% fruit. Feed adults two to three times a week, as the risk of obesity is real in this unfussy species.

How long does this species live?▾

Its lifespan lies between 15 and 20 years, and frequently reaches 20 years and more in captivity with good care. It is therefore a long-term companion.

How does the blue-tongued skink reproduce?▾

The species is viviparous: the female gives birth to 5 to 20 independent juveniles after a gestation of about 3 to 4 months. A winter cooling period (brumation) usually stimulates breeding.

Which health problems are the most common?▾

Obesity linked to overfeeding and lack of space comes first, followed by metabolic bone disease in case of a calcium or UVB deficiency, and retained shed on the toes and tail tip. Wild-imported individuals are moreover more often carriers of internal parasites.

Is keeping this species regulated?▾

Export from Australia is prohibited, so animals legal in France come from captive breeding (CBB). Wild imports, notably of the Indonesian subspecies, are more stressed and more frequently parasitised: it is better to favour a captive-bred animal.

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