Northern/Eastern Blue-tongue Skink - Tiliqua scincoides intermedia/Tiliqua s. scincoides
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General Information
Northern/Eastern Blue-tongue Skink - Tiliqua scincoides intermedia/Tiliqua
s. scincoides
[Back to
Lizard Care Sheets]
General
Information
Distribution — Northern Australia from western Australia east through the Northern Territory to Queensland.
Habitat — Dry, open woodlands and grasslands.
Size — Adults grow to a length of 45-61 cm (20-27 inches). Newborn blue-tongue skinks are typically 9-11 cm (4-5 inches) long.
Temperament — Although young blue-tongue skinks may be a little nervous, these lizards are typically very docile and easy to handle.
Longevity — Blue-tongue skinks are relatively long lived animals. Specimens have been known to live more than twenty years in captivity.
Captive Care
Rating: 1; Blue-tongue skinks are docile, moderate in size, and relatively easy to care for. They have a moderately long life span and are not always available as domestically bred animals. At Reptilia, we breed our own blue-tongue skinks on site.
Diet: Both insects (crickets, mealworms, wax worms, silkworms, and butter worms) and fruit and vegetables should be fed to ensure good health in this species; however, a mixture of items can be prepared to provide a balanced diet for these skinks. Reptilia uses a relatively simple recipe to prepare food for these lizards (click here to view a recipe).
Temperature: 25 to 28°C (79-84°F) during the day and 15° to 22°C (60-73°F) at night.
Required Space: Blue-tongue skinks require at least a 50 gallon terrarium as adults 81cm x 40.5cm x 40.5 cm (36"x18"x18"). An enclosure 108cm x 54cm x 40.5cm (48"x24"x18") is ideal.
Breeding: This species is relatively easy to breed in captivity which is why it is surprising that so few are bred in Canada. Adults require a cooling period to induce breeding behaviour. Two methods of "cooling" are used. First, the animals can be kept cool at night, 13°C (57°F), and have moderately warm days, 23°C (75°F), for a period of a month or two. Gradual warming followed by introduction of the female into the male's enclosure typically will lead to breeding. Second, the skinks can be gradually cooled to a temperature of 13°C (57°F) and left at this temperature for two months. Gradual warming followed by introduction of the female to the male results in breeding. Females give birth to 6-20 live young after a gestation period of approximately four months.
Special Requirements: A varied diet including several types of fruits and insects is recommended. Vitamin supplements are also necessary and UVB lighting helps ensure proper bone development. Skinks have boney plates under their scales called osteoderms. Lack of calcium, vitamin D3, and UVB lighting will result in poorly developed osteoderms and metabolic bone disease in this species.
Sources (Suggested Reading):
Bartlett, R.D. and P. Bartlett. 1997. Lizard Care from A to Z. Barron’s Educational Series Inc., New York. Pp. 178.
Bruins, Eugene. 1999. Encyclopedia of Terrarium. Rebo Productions Ltd., The Netherlands. Pp. 320.
Rogner, Manfred. 1997. Lizards, Volume 2. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. Pp. 308.
Wilson, James. 2001. Blue-tongued Beauties. Reptiles Magazine Volume 9, Number 11, Pp. 48-65.