If they do not move at all, then check their breathing. The average blue tongue skink lifespan is somewhere between 15 and 20 years. It can cause your pets bones to become soft and brittle and may even result in the immobilization of your pet. - Get their common name from their bright blue . Remember, these reptiles prefer floor space over anything else. Expert Tip: You can also choose a reptile enclosure with swinging front doors. But should anything irritate or scare them, they hiss and puff themselves up. Blue-Tongue Skinks can be located in both New Guinea and in Australia. It can also be released at the same time as faeces. This is quite unusual for lizards, who typically dont like one another very often. You can expect to pay between $150 and $2,000 for your Blue Tongued Skink, depending on the breed you choose. It's usually brown, orange, black, and grey, but can be found in other colors too, including light blue. You can bring a dead blue tongue skink to the vet to know the reason for their death. A healthy stool looks brown and has no odor at all. They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. This is the most confusing sign of all as you dont understand the breathing patterns of a blue tongue skink. When you buy a Blue Tongue skink from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. Most species, save for the shingle back, have smooth,flat scales. Maybe the blue tongue skink was not showing you the signs of weakness or you did not have enough knowledge about this. [Answered]. Average lifespan is 15-20 years, although they are known to be capable of living 35+ years, which is an important consideration to keep in mind when you're . It may also take place when a reptile has eaten large-sized insects or due to too low temperatures. Additionally, before the brumating period, many owners take their blue tongue skinks to the vet and get them checked for parasites. But not as dogs or humans do. There are a number of different species, but they mostly utilize the same types of habitats. If there is any issue in the body regarding parasites or infection, then the first impact is on the stool. And any owner thats interested in one needs to know what they are! Hes also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films. . However, those lizards are more of an exception rather than the rule. I bought a really cheap ikea rug and covered the actual apartment carpet with it so if they pee and stuff it doesn't soak into the actual carpet. They will perform necropsy that will help determine the cause. They usually live in dry or semi humid habitats and have an average life of ten to fifteen years but if kept in good shape, these animals can live up . Yes, the Blue Tongue Skink will make a great pet and is suitable for children. Other variants have distinct color morphs. One genus of this skink family is particularly large and has immensely powerful jaws. Most of the, the lizards suffer from problems of over ingestion, which if not controlled for in time can result in the blue tongue skinks health. Its also quite intelligent. Mites or ticks might attach themselves to their skin and damage them from the outside. WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SELECTIONS YOU WILL FIND INCLUDING BLUE TONGUE SKINKS, RED SIDED SKINKS, CROCODILE SKINKS, TREE SKINKS AND MORE. Approximately half of their meal should be greens, a small amount of fruit, and the rest should be some type of protein. There is no coming back from diseases like parasite wounds or a bad case of metabolic bone disease in lizards. Clint looks at the these incredible lizards to help you determine if the. The first thing to note is that in nature, not everything looks the same to everyone. Reptiles are becoming more and more popular in America because they have long lifespans and are relatively easy to raise. The Adelaide pygmy species is found exclusively in a small portion of south Australia. We understand that their appetite can become a bit less some days, but if its happening for a couple of days, you need to contact your vet. Its better to buy a humidity control device to monitor the levels. You can install a UVB light over the enclosure and leave it on for 12 to 14 hours per day. When bluetongue skinks are attacked, they don't curl up or run for cover. Expert Tip: Most are going to be on the larger end, so its best to plan accordingly and make sure that you have plenty of space. Incorporate a few rocks and logs into the habitat, but dont go overboard! We recommend a brand that will provide your pet with important UVB light, which will give your pet the important nutrients it usually gets from the sun. Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink. This is a classic skink and grows to about 19 inches. Blue-tongues are omnivorous and should be fed a combination of proteins, vegetables/greens, and fruits. By now, you probably understand why were such a big fan of this species. An average blue tongue skink weighs about 10-18 ounces. It will primarily eat insects like crickets, waxworms, snails, and more. Heat lamps are the best way to increase the temperature, and they also provide your pet with a basking spot that it will enjoy. Depending on species, they can be found in scrublands, grasslands, mediterranean and temperate forests, tropical rainforests, and even deserts. Give them some time to heal. This will be a heated part of the habitat that the lizard will use to increase their body temperature when they feel cold. Also, keep an eye on this dish and refill it frequently. Adult blue tongue skinks can live very healthy lives in a tank size of 40 or 50-gallon. The video below shows you what Metabolic Bone Disease does to your skink. Northerns are the easiest Australian species to find in the United States. The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia? A blue tongue skink diet should consist of 50% plant-based, 40% protein-based, and 10% fresh fruit. In addition to standard lighting, blue tongue skinks will also need UVB lighting. Aptly named for their vibrant blue mouths, the blue tongue skink (Tiliqua scincoides) is a favorite among reptile enthusiasts. A blue tongue skink is likely to pee or poop on you if you are not holding it correctly or if it's scared. They also use burrows and crevices to escape from potential predators or hazardous weather. Blue tongue skink poop can vary in appearance depending on the individual lizard's diet. . In fact, we consider blue tongue skink care to be something anyone can manage (no matter how much experience they have). Sometimes, lizards don't eat for weeks, which can trigger weight loss. A: Blue-tongue lizards are a prey species for some snakes, so it is possible that if you have a blue-tongue lizard in your yard there may also be a snake. The different species have a wide variety of patterns and color combinations, though most are sandy brown to dark brown in color.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'animals_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-4-0'); These reptiles are commonly kept as pets, but there are actually a surprisingly large variety of blue tongue skinks. Their needs are relatively easy to manage and they dont require any intense husbandry. In addition, it will need a screened top, so it doesnt escape, and a front opening will help you access the reptile. A poorly maintained habitat and a lackluster diet will lead to stress, disease, and a shorter lifespan. 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. The number of young produced also varies. However, there are some common reptile diseases that you need to keep an eye out for. If mating occurs and you notice the female getting larger in a few weeks, the breeding was successful, and she will give birth to a live baby. In reality, the only venomous lizards are the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. Each needs a relatively large enclosure, no smaller than a 20-gallon aquarium. These creatures are covered in scales and have a smooth shape that closely resembles a snake. Of course, you should always exercise caution before handling reptiles. The Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink only grows to about 11 inches but has a significant tail that can increase the total size of the animal to 20 inches. The substrate you use will depend on the type of Skink you have. Most of the time, the issues lie in the vivarium temperature and humidity levels which may cause your skink to die suddenly. Purchase a hygrometer and use it regularly to stay on top of humidity levels. Moreover, it will help prevent the same mistakes and let you know if the disease was transferrable to other pets or not. They dont want the humans (or other animals) to spot their weakness, so this is very natural. Preferably, you should get a new tank if you have not gone for necropsy because you dont know the reason for their death. Blue-tongues will get bedding in their water and new fresh water should be provided often. 10 Signs That Show That Your Snake is Happy! Lizard poop is black with white colored tips on one end. Amazon Rainforest is a dream location to visit for many nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. It can grow to 15 or 20 inches and is slow-moving. Instead of moving about in the tank, they would remain stationary for hours. 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. There are separate cremating spaces for animals where you can get the ashes in return too. Skinks can be found in 47 states although are more widespread in the Southeastern United States with the warmer climates. This problem is most common after the shedding period. What Do Blue Tailed Skinks Eat in the Wild and as Pets? If you need to increase levels, just mist the enclosure once a day. All eight of the species are viviparous, which means that they give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs or developing eggs within their bodies. The loss of appetite happens during that time, so keep a check on the other signs. Therefore, it is relatively easy to identify their poop from that of other household pests. Using a heat emitter or overhead incandescent light, heat one spot of the enclosure to temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have any other questions about how to take care of this reptile, dont hesitate to reach out. Depending on species, blue tongue skinks generally measure between 15-24 (38-61 cm). 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. This stocky reptile becomes fairly large, and is one of the most beloved pet retiles in the world due to their docile nature and unique appearance. Because youre not going to be using a ton of decorations, youll need to pay closer attention to the essentials. But when captured, or away from their natural habitat, such issues are common to arise. Tanimbar Island skinks are smaller, ranging in size from 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 cm) in length. They will come out of their hiding, move around a bit, and then go back to sleep. To avoid this, make sure that youre providing those 12 to 14 hours of UVB exposure per day. But if you have had a blue tongue skink for a long time, then you know their routine. Please note that the product information displayed is provided by manufacturers, suppliers and other third parties and is not independently verified by Petco. For instance, the tail where they store the most fat starts thinning. 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. Reply . These reptiles should be housed separately from one another rather than in groups. They have adapted themselves to the wild, but when they are in captivity, then the same habits resurface again. Blueys love burrows. However, the exact size you can expect is going to depend entirely on the subspecies you choose. There are several varieties of the Blue Tongue Skink, and they all have slightly different appearances. The reproduction styles vary widely between species. As we said, it is easy to mistake a brumating skink for a dead skink but there are a few differences. 1. It's always best to keep track of their weight weekly and if you see a drop, then inform the vet. Keep reading while we take a deep dive to learn as many facts about the Blue Tongued Skink as we can. It enjoys being handled and is usually quite calm, so its a great choice for children. All species are found on mainland Australia with the exception of Tiliqua gigas, which occurs in New Guinea and various islands of Indonesia. While this might sound daunting, blue tongue skink is actually pretty simple (especially compared to a lot of other species). Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. Planning the perfect habitat for a blue tongue skink is much easier than most people think! Blue tongue skinks arent huge climbers, but they do enjoy basking on a raised rock every once in a while. 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. That means that one side of the tank/cage will be hotter than the other. are large, diurnal, terrestrial lizards that can be found all over Australia and Indonesia. In it, youll learn everything you need to know about blue tongue skink care so you can help your pet live a happy and healthy life! Along with humidity, you should also keep the heat and light in check. Respiratory infections and skin issues are common, too. Most of the people get scared and throw the animal off their lap; this is exactly what scares the hell out of the poor creature. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. There are a lot of different varieties of these lizards that are available as pets, but the two most common are the northern blue-tongued skink and the Indonesian blue-tongued skink. This is a significant first step to recognizing any issues in your pet. Stay calm and slowly remove the lizard from your lap, place it gently in its cage and then go to clean yourself. Most times, blue tongue skink urinate during handling. This issue mostly arises in wild blue tongue skinks because of their environment. The pellets included up to 8 varieties of dried fruit blended to achieve rich fruity flavor. It has armored scales and a tough and rugged appearance. An adult blue tongue skink requires a minimum of 8 sq ft of floor space or 120-gallon or a 48x24x18 enclosure. Youre not going to see blue tongue skinks drinking very often. 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. Im wondering if this is ok or if I need to worry. They should be fed a wide variety of protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. As a good rule of thumb, 40 percent of their diet should consist of protein-based foods. blue tongue skink is breathing with their mouth open, Indonesian blue tongue skinks are the most popular varieties that are kept as pets, Why Your Uromastyx Wiggles & How To Stop That, 13 Reasons Why Your Bearded Dragon Is Hiding All Day. We have some healthy Blue-Tongue skinks for sale at unbeatable prices. An average blue tongue skink weighs about 10-18 ounces. Impaction is serious among reptiles and if it remains untreated then it can become lethal all too sudden. What To Do if You Find Out Your Blue Tongue Skink Might Be Dying? (1825). At night, temperatures can dip to the low 70s. Remember, crawling floor space is the most important thing. Once they get more comfortable in the enclosure, you can start handling them. Theres a lot that you can feed blue tongue skinks. Latest posts by Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team. You can ask the vet for the grounds to bury them because you have to get permission for that. Eastern blue-tongued skinks generally shy (Cronin 2014) May avoid areas used by high numbers of humans and domestic dogs (Dutson and Dutson 2016) Skink injury and mortality In New South Wales, Shine and Koenig (2001) report over 8,900 T. scincoides "rescues" over a 10-year period These are stocky, heavy lizards and aren't particularly agile, so ambushing prey works best for them. It typically grows to 3.5 6 inches. There will be no movement in the tank. It has a yellow, orange body with black markings that can be bands or spots. While its technically considered to be a lizard, blue tongue skinks are a class of their own. There are a lot of skinks in the world. With other lizard species, you have to choose the perfect decorations and plants. They make decent pets, as theyre low maintenance, and relatively docile. Its always a sad affair when your pet dies. Jeff is my first reptile and I'm always unsure what's normal so it's always worth questioning some of the littler things. Not only that, but its one of the few reptile species that actually enjoy being handled! In general, the droppings of the common house lizards are pellet-shaped . Owners will typically mix up food ingredients regularly to ensure that the lizard is getting all the nutrients and vitamins they need. BLUE TONGUE SKINKS New skink started peeing on me Forum rules In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. This means its best to keep the habitat relatively bare. It will need to remain on the higher side when shedding the skin. Avoid using anything too hard. What You Should Do if Blue Tongue Skinks Pees on You? Stay calm and don't make any sudden movements, or it will stress out your skink. Animals.NET aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. It has a mottled color pattern of white, brown, black, brown, and grey. Rather than climb, these skinks will burrow into the sand and root around in search of prey. The Australian Blue Tongued Skink can grow to reach 15 inches. Several subspecies are considered to be part of the larger blue tongue skink family. Full disclaimer here. All the skinks species are active in this form. In addition, it gets quite large and has a long lifespan. Blotched Blue Tongue Skink 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. Their thick bodies with short legs make them better adapted to burrowing and digging on the ground. The centralian species is found in New South Wales, Australia. If caught early, they can live with it but the curved bones will stay that way. The Northern blue tongue skink is one of the largest available. The interesting thing, however, is that we dont know exactly how they do it. Our Handling Advice. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-box-4','ezslot_4',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-box-4','ezslot_5',115,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-115{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}The different species of blue tongue skinks have different ranges. They're lower maintenance but they're generally pretty chill. If it died due to natural circumstances, then clean it properly. Skink . Over on the cool end, temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Learn more. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Most species are diurnal, ground-foraging omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits and berries. Its often bright yellow, so its one of the easier Skins to identify. 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. Blue-tongued skinks make up the Australasian genus, Tiliqua, which has some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). What To Do With an Old Blue Tongue Skink Tank if Youre Getting a New Blue Tongue Skink? Brown Green Gray These reptiles are quite hardy and have few health problems as long as you provide plenty of calcium. Capture for the pet trade has some impact on species, but they will reproduce readily in captivity, which decreases the pressure on wild specimens. Sneezing is natural and helps your blue tongue skink clean its nose. Protein: Lean meat like chicken and rabbit are great, as are many types of bugs: crickets, silkworms, hissing . With all the snails and garden pests around, they make a valuable contribution to a vegetable patch, as long as the crops arent on the lizards menu. Juvenile blue-tongue lizards face many dangers during . The diet of a blue tongue skink can have a big impact on the appearance of their poop. 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. They have a reputation for being one of the most personable reptile species around. Northern blue-tongued skinks are the . 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. These lizards originally come from Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.