Description
Northern Blue Tongue Skink Care
Below we have provided a detailed care guide for all species of Blue Tongue skink for sale. This includes the largest of all, the Northern blue tongue skink.
Northern Blue Tongue Skink Habitat
Height should be an absolute MINIMUM of 10 inches but need not be more than 18 inches. There are several commercially available reptile enclosures available at this size. Exo-Terra makes a nice front opening glass terrarium called a “Large-Low” which is 36L X 18w X 12h and perfect for most adult Blue Tongue Skinks Tiliqua.
Many keepers choose to keep their animals in larger enclosures such as 48l X 24w X 18h with great success. Tiliqua will use every inch of ground space you provide.
We recommend the Exo-Terra Large-Low terrarium or any other type of 4 x 2 x 2 PVC enclosure for permanent adult housing. There are many other custom enclosures available that are excellent as well it is really up to your choice and budget. We use reptile basics brand 4×2′ pvc enclosures for our blue tongue skink habitat.
Blue Tongue Skink habitat sizing
Please keep in mind that each animal is an individual with individual growth, terminal size, behaviors, and predispositions. Therefore, some BTS may need larger enclosures and some may need smaller or less “open-view” enclosures to do well. Part of reptile keeping is learning the balance between the biology/science and the art of adapting to “what works” for the individual animal.
Remember, 2 adult Northern Blue-Tongues should NEVER be housed together! They are extremely territorial, defensive, and even aggressive toward other skinks. They should only be placed together for breeding purposes under your supervision, and removed once they have completed mating.
Blue Tongue Skink Temperature
Add a thermometer to each end of the enclosure in order to monitor the temperature. Blue-tongued skink enclosures or habitats should have ambient temperatures on the cool side from 74 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The warm end should include a basking area of 91 to 99 degrees. Your skink will bask when needed to warm its’ body temperature. Blue tongue skinks for sale also are known for hanging out in the cool end quite often.
For this reason, it is recommended that your habitat is at least 4′ in length so as to allow both cool and warm ends of the temperature spectrum. With proper temperature gradients, your BTS will be able to thermoregulate properly. If you are considering breeding your blue tongue skink for sale, please read even more details concerning temperatures.
Blue Tongue Skink for sale – Humidity
Blue Tongue Skink Humidity levels ranging between 45 and 65 percent are ideal for Northern blue-tongues. Indonesian, Tanimbar, Irian Jaya, Merauke, and Kei Island blue-tongued skinks may prefer slightly higher humidity levels. Use a hydrometer to monitor humidity levels in your blue tongue skink habitat. Humidity is always a factor of importance when keeping any type of pet reptiles including skinks.
Northern Blue Tongue Skink UVB Lighting
Blue-tongued skinks are a basking species by nature so they need an intense UVB source. We recommend a strong 10-12% UV tube running at least 2/3 of the length of the enclosure. … Though the blue tongue skink is a basking species it may desire some time in an area with no light. For these reasons, always provide correct 10% UVB lighting in the form of T5 high output lamps. In addition, be sure to monitor your lighting every 5-6 months to be replaced.
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