Blue-tongued skink — Care Sheet & Morphs

Q: How big does an adult Blue-tongued skink get?

An adult Blue-tongued skink typically measures 45–60 cm.

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 velvetDom
Hypomelanistic / SunriseDom

Named combos — 2 documented combined morphs

SnowSunglow

Pairing calculator

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

🧬

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.

How big does an adult Blue-tongued skink get?▾

An adult Blue-tongued skink typically measures 45–60 cm (adult total length. massive sausage-shaped body, short legs, large triangular head and smooth, glossy scales. the northern subspecies is generally the largest.).

What temperature and humidity does a Blue-tongued skink need?▾

A gradient of roughly 22–26 °C on the cool side to 28–32 °C on the warm side, with a basking spot of 35–40 °C. Humidity 40–60 %.

What does a Blue-tongued skink eat?▾

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

Is the Blue-tongued skink a good reptile for beginners?▾

Beginner + level. Docile and hardy, often nicknamed 'the potato of lizards'. Captive-bred Northerns (T. s. intermedia) are particularly calm; Easterns can be a little livelier. Wild individuals hiss, flatten their body and stick out their tongue to intimidate. A NON-venomous species: the cobalt-blue tongue is merely a defensive bluff. As export from Australia is prohibited, legal animals come from captive breeding (CBB); wild imports (the Indonesian subspecies) are more stressed and frequently parasitised. Plan ahead: a lifespan of 15–20 yrs.

Track your blue-tongued skink on ReptiNode

Create a free tracking log: weight, meals, sheds, health record, QR codes and breeding projects — with the built-in genetics calculator for over 200 species.

Create a free account