The skin after shedding is delicate, and if rubbed hard, it could lead to an injury. 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. Once they get more comfortable in the enclosure, you can start handling them. For the Australian Aboriginal myth, see. It would help if you did a daily checking routine to identify such issues. If you have any other questions about how to take care of this reptile, dont hesitate to reach out. If your Blue tongue lizard is sick, a common symptom is weakness and lethargy. For juvenile blue tongue skink, you will need a 40-50 gallon tank. That said, seasoned lizard keepers love this species as well because of the many rare subspecies available. An adult blue-tongued skink requires, at barest, an enclosure that measures 36 inches by 18 inches wide by 10 inches tall, with a full screen top. If the urine has landed on your hands and arms, then there is nothing to worry about. As we mentioned earlier, you will need to keep the temperature in your terrarium between 70 80 degrees. They make decent pets, as theyre low maintenance, and relatively docile. This should give you a good idea of what to expect of a brumating blue tongue skink. This occurs when your reptile isnt getting that UVB exposure they need. They can be quite docile and easy to care for, as long as the owner is properly educated to their needs. As such, they displace wolf spiders and tarantulas and other burrowing spiders in their area to make space for themselves. Youll notice a movement in their neck area in the former and the front and behind the leg area in the latter. Still, providing a large water dish is essential. There are eight different species in the genus, with various colors and patterns. It has a yellow, orange body with black markings that can be bands or spots. . Blue-tongued skinks make up the Australasian genus, Tiliqua, which has some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). It also helps keep your Skink hydrated. Another thing to note is that when your pet is brumating, you can always see them breathing even if they are hiding in their tank. This design makes it easy to handle your reptile and gain access to the interior. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? Variety is very important when it comes to the diet of a blue tongue skink. You might see specimens that have dark brown and black stripes, those with light-colored skin, and those with large spots. You can make one yourself out of wood or purchase a premade box thats crafted out of plastic. 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. Because youre not going to be using a ton of decorations, youll need to pay closer attention to the essentials. 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. It has armored scales and a tough and rugged appearance. There is no coming back from diseases like parasite wounds or a bad case of metabolic bone disease in lizards. The diet of a blue tongue skink can have a big impact on the appearance of their poop. If you are wondering if your BTS is acting normally or might be sick, this is where you can get help with that. Im wondering if this is ok or if I need to worry. Blue tongue skinks may try to eat the substrate, which could lead to impaction issues. Blue tongue skinks have a gentle personality and do well with both beginners and experienced hobbyists. Some skinks such as the Tanimbar Island Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides chimaera), or the Indonesian Blue tongue (Tiliqua gigas) do not generally appreciate handling, and males will often evert their henipenes right before they defecate and/or urinate on you. Hey! 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. Skinks can be found in 47 states although are more widespread in the Southeastern United States with the warmer climates. You should always research well in advance about the heat, temperature, humidity, and light so that your pet does not suffer. The dish should be large enough for the skink to soak in! This daily staple diet contains the mixture of fresh fruits, honey and excellent source of animal protein for balanced nutrition - no additional supplements required. Lethargic Restless Behaviour Irregular Shedding Loss Of Appetite Random Wounds You Are Not Cleaning Their Urine. 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. The Blue Tongued Skink is an amazing animal that, as you might have guessed, has a bright blue tongue, but there are plenty of other interesting facts you might not know. Planning the perfect habitat for a blue tongue skink is much easier than most people think! I duct taped off the baseboards as well so they can't chew them or crawl . Rather than climb, these skinks will burrow into the sand and root around in search of prey. You can expect to pay between $150 and $2,000 for your Blue Tongued Skink, depending on the breed you choose. Tiliqua scincoides intermedia - northern blue-tongued skink (northern Australia) Tiliqua scincoides chimaera - Tanimbar blue-tongued skink (Maluku Province, Indonesia) Description. Theyre honestly one of our favorites! 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 More often than not, these problems are directly caused by high humidity levels in the enclosure. At night, temperatures can dip to the low 70s. These reptiles are easily bred in captivity, but have not been formally domesticated in any way. Old wives tales about blue tongue skinks are rampant, and all are untrue. This is a classic skink and grows to about 19 inches. Remember, crawling floor space is the most important thing. Normal Blue tongue skink poop is firm, elongated, light to dark brown and odor-free. That is the white portion of a lizards poop. 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. Blue tongue skink lizards generally do not like to be handled or held in laps and most of the people do not even know how exactly to hold the reptile to make it comfortable. But the major issues usually arise from their habitat. At this point, you also need to check if their shedding period, brumation, or breeding period is at its peak. These skinks are not dangerous, and their bite is not . They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. On the other hand, an unhealthy poop may look yellow, green, too mushy, long, or have a foul smell. From snout to tail measurements, Blue Tongue Skinks average at 17 inches long. We recommend increasing the humidity with more frequent spraying to help the skin come off easier. Maybe the blue tongue skink was not showing you the signs of weakness or you did not have enough knowledge about this. Its best to keep blue tongue skinks in solitary tanks. While this might sound daunting, blue tongue skink is actually pretty simple (especially compared to a lot of other species). Some more appearance signs may warn you about weight loss. Approximately 50 percent should be vegetables while 10 percent should be sweet fruits. Instead of moving about in the tank, they would remain stationary for hours. It is always sad to see your beloved pet die but you have to check for the symptoms, take them to the vet soon to eliminate this risk. They have pretty healthy appetites and arent particularly picky about the things they consume. Your one stop for everything regarding BTS. Blue tongue skinks are large and heavy. Pet Keen is reader-supported. It can also be released at the same time as faeces. Protein: Lean meat like chicken and rabbit are great, as are many types of bugs: crickets, silkworms, hissing . Skink's poop and pee from the same opening called Cloaca. 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. Unfortunately, curved or swollen limbs are pretty common in captive reptiles, resulting from a lack of calcium and/ or Vitamin D3. Moreover, if you spot them, they will look slouched instead of an alert posture. 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. What To Do With an Old Blue Tongue Skink Tank if Youre Getting a New Blue Tongue Skink? They will also eat fruits and vegetables and are no too picky about what they eat when they are hungry. Purchase a hygrometer and use it regularly to stay on top of humidity levels. My name is Pierre, and I am the owner of this website. All blue tongue skinks are members of the genus Tiliqua, and are named for their characteristic blue tongues. These skinks come from Indonesia and usually cost about $375. [6] All are viviparous, with litter sizes ranging from 1-4 in the pygmy blue-tongue and shingleback to 5-24 in the eastern and northern blue-tongues. might just be the best pet lizard on planet earth. This basking area should be on for about 12 hours a day. What do blue tongue skinks look like? Their thick bodies with short legs make them better adapted to burrowing and digging on the ground. The video below shows you how a form of breathing problems in blue tongue skinks looks like. Blue-Tongued Skink Care Sheet For First-Time Owners - Everything Reptiles The general temperature of the tank should be kept between 70 and 80. The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia? Their first line of defense is to simply remain undetected by hiding or relying on their cryptic body coloration. According to Laurie Hess, UV light is good for the lizards as it benefits them. Use the search! The healthier you are animal, the more at peace your life will be too. Some of the common signs that may signify a dying blue tongue skink are: If you doubt that something may be wrong with your pet, read on to know about the signs and what you can do in detail. The only cause of concern should be if the blue tongue skink is breathing with their mouth open all the time. They will also feed on fruits, flowers, and berries, if they come across them. In fact, its the largest family of lizards, and skinks of various kinds inhabit most of the worlds continents. However, there are some common reptile diseases that you need to keep an eye out for. Due to its large body size with relatively short legs, the skink is not very agile. 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. Most Skinks like to dig, so you will want to make sure the substrate is several inches thick. Blue-Tongue Skinks can be located in both New Guinea and in Australia. These reptiles are relatively large, and are some of the largest species in the skink family. This will be a heated part of the habitat that the lizard will use to increase their body temperature when they feel cold. (1825). Since I was a child, I have had an enormous interest in reptiles. A synopsis of the genera of reptiles and Amphibia, with a description of some new species. If your blue tongue skink is sneezing a lot, it can mean that the substrate is dusty or too fine, and is getting in the nose. Featured Image Credit: Tiliqua scincoides scincoides (Image Credit: JJ Harrison, Wikimedia Commons CC SA 3.0 Unported). 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 . They will come out of their hiding, move around a bit, and then go back to sleep. They are large skinks and can grow to a length of 20 to 50 cm. Are Blue Tongued Skinks Friendly? These reptiles are omnivorous, which means that they will feed on both plant and animal matter. You can try to soak your shirt overnight in warm water and a good detergent but there are chances that the smell might not go away. Its always a sad affair when your pet dies. Avoid onion, avocado, rhubarb, and tomato greens! Most species, save for the Adelaide pygmy, are considered to be Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'animals_net-banner-1','ezslot_6',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-banner-1-0'); For an animal to undergo true domestication they must be selectively bred for extended periods of time. 5 Signs Of Yellow Fungus On Blue Tongue Skinks. This is how you can differentiate between the three distinct situations. When kept indoors, many reptiles that dont have exposure to UVB rays develop bone diseases. Ive had bearded dragons and they dont teally pee its more urate but my baby blue tongue slink just pees. Skinks pee a lot! The blue tonged (or tongue) skink, also called blue-tongued lizards, are a kind of skink that's a common pet reptile. True to their name, the blue tongue skink has an eye-catching blue mouth and tongue. As for color, theres a bit of variation between subspecies. If the humidity and temperature in the tank are not optimal, then the blue tongue skink can suffer from dysecdysis. However, there are noticeable regional differences. The mating ritual can appear violent, and the male can claw and bite the female to help get into position. A stocky and robust head and body gives way to a short, stout tail, supported a few millimeters off the substrate by small, nub-like arms. By now, you probably understand why were such a big fan of this species. The tongue of a bluey reflects UV, and therefore likely looks even more bright and shocking to these animals than it does to us. That's just the beginning of their craziness, too! Because they are harmless, and live in areas that are not highly trafficked by humans, these reptiles do not interact with humans too frequently. It may be possible to keep two females together or a bonded male and female pair. So, an animal that is predominantly camouflaged has the opportunity to suddenly present a glowing and distasteful-looking tongue to an enemy at short notice. Owners will typically mix up food ingredients regularly to ensure that the lizard is getting all the nutrients and vitamins they need. Yes, blue tongue skinks actually make very good pets. Incubation 100 days; generally give birth in mid-summer Females are ovoviviparous ("egg-live birth") - the mother produces egg cases, which she then carries inside her. But a blue tongue skink requires certain conditions to live in, and if they are not met, they may even die. Variety is important. Give them some time to heal. Over on the cool end, temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When youre keeping one in captivity, your goal should always be to replicate their environment and provide a biologically appropriate diet. Sometimes, lizards don't eat for weeks, which can trigger weight loss. Most Blue Tongued Skinks have a similar diet to other reptiles. Blue tongue skinks have wide alert eyes to notice all the small movements. The impact of tick parasites on the behaviour of the lizard Tiliqua rugosa, Adding burrows to enhance a population of the endangered pygmy blue tongue lizard, Tiliqua adelaidensis, Omnivorous; invertebrates, flowers, berries, Adelaide pygmy blue-tongue skink (T. adelaidensis). A series of small, boney, overlapping scales create a light brownish grey coloring with patterns of darker browns to reds that . They may even have internal parasites such as tapeworm, roundworm, or lungworm. However, the exact size you can expect is going to depend entirely on the subspecies you choose. Learn more. They have adapted themselves to the wild, but when they are in captivity, then the same habits resurface again. Instead, they stick out their vibrant tongues to scare away predators. Scientists believed that it was extinct until the 1990s. Using a heat emitter or overhead incandescent light, heat one spot of the enclosure to temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Easy to care for with an abundance of personality, Blue Tongue Skinks can ease a novice reptile owner into caring for a unique pet, or they can pose a breeding challenge for more experienced owners. These animals have very strong jaws. Remember, within the captive diet it's vital we replicate the need for dietary variety. Its a hardy animal that stores fat in its tail, so it cant detach it like the other varieties. The Centralian Blue Tongued Skink is another larger Skink that can reach 17 inches or more and has an almost obese appearance. They need some humidity, but not too much of it. There are 7 species of blue-tongue in Australia. They might tell you if your pet can be saved or not. Its also low maintenance once you have the habitat set up, and it will only require food and heat lamp replacements to live a long life. These animals have four limbs, with five equal-length toes. These are stocky, heavy lizards and arent particularly agile, so ambushing prey works best for them. Overall, blue tongue skinks are quite docile with humans. Blueys love burrows. They're lower maintenance but they're generally pretty chill. Rare blue-tongued skinks such as Centralian and Shinglebacks may cost between $1,500 and $5,000 each. Adult blue tongue skinks can live very healthy lives in a tank size of 40 or 50-gallon. On the opposite side of the enclosure, you can create a basking area. Of course, you should always exercise caution before handling reptiles. When your blue tongue skink dies, remove them from the tank otherwise, it will smell terrible. Although this happens regularly, sometimes the weight reduces suddenly, which is a matter of grave concern. The best fruits are berries, squash, apple, and papaya. You wont be able to see the UVB light, so make sure that youre changing out the bulb every 6 months for good measure. They have an unmistakable shape thats very different from what youd see with other lizard species in the trade. They would move about their tank, eat regularly, and always be alert and responsive to a slight movement. This means they will readily accept most foods without any issues. As long as you follow the care guidelines we listed in the sheet above, youll be all set! So lets see what the signs are in detail: Blue tongue skinks are generally very active and agile. Some skinks will even show signs that they enjoy head rubs! The Indonesian and Australian Blue Tongued Skinks are much more affordable than the Centralian or Shingleback varieties. It may seem cruel to some, but this will ease pain and suffering. Failure to maintain the heat and light in the tank can lead to the sudden death of your pet. It typically grows to 3.5 6 inches. You can bring a dead blue tongue skink to the vet to know the reason for their death. Yes, the Blue Tongued Skink is quite friendly and doesnt mind when you handle them. The breathing becomes labored and rapid with crackling sounds. We hope this article helps you analyze the signs and know your pet a bit better. The urine of a BTS does not sting, so all you need to do is to wash your hands thoroughly with a good anti-bacterial soap and then apply a moisturizer to keep your skin in a good shape and to suppress the smell. Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, flowers, fruits, and berries. Inbreeding in dense populations is a common issue, as bad genes can be combined to make unhealthy offspring. 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. What Are the Signs of a Blue Tongue Skink Dying? This type of reaction, called a deimatic display,. But if you have had a blue tongue skink for a long time, then you know their routine. They can be nervous and unpredictable, and do bite. That would look like - staying still for hours, hiding, too weak to even push off their feet and will slither around like snakes instead. This is another way they are able to thrive in such urban environments. Youre not going to see blue tongue skinks drinking very often. Today there are breeding programs to help bring back the population. Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. Whereas, for abnormal Blue tongue skink poop keep an eye for any of the following: Runny poop Green or yellow poop Bloody poop All White Excretes Excess uric acid Strong unpleasant smell Chalky and hard urate The Australian species do not need high humidity. In addition, their blue tongue will produce a response in the prey which will in turn diminish the attack. [9], "Blue tongue lizard" redirects here. So feeding as many insect feeder species as possible, along with . 1. Blue Tongue Skinks are awesome if you can find one! The remaining 60 percent needs to be plant-based foods. In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. The centralian species is found in New South Wales, Australia. This is the place! They are not climbers, so surface area of the ground is more important than vertical climbing space. The most common variant youll see in the reptile trade is the Northern blue tongue skink. The popular Northern blue tongue skink has a light brown base color. These animals are known to show some aggression towards other creatures. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. The Blue Tongued Skink is a fascinating animal that makes a great pet for anyone interested in raising reptiles. It may also take place when a reptile has eaten large-sized insects or due to too low temperatures. Moreover, it will help prevent the same mistakes and let you know if the disease was transferrable to other pets or not. Their urate (pee) comes along with their poop. Lets get the tongue out of the way first. Dehydration in a reptile is a serious concern because it affects their mouth and their eyes. For instance, the tail where they store the most fat starts thinning. Its usually brown, orange, black, and grey, but can be found in other colors too, including light blue. 3. The bowl should be heavy or at least difficult to spill as Tiliqua will tip over any lightweight or unstable water bowls. Respiratory infections and skin issues are common, too. Like birds they excrete uric acid and other toxins in solid form. Blue tongue skinks arent huge climbers, but they do enjoy basking on a raised rock every once in a while. Its an easy-going reptile that adapts well to many environments. 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! The Northern and the Indonesian blue tongue skinks are the most popular varieties that are kept as pets. They should be fed a wide variety of protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. If there is any issue in the body regarding parasites or infection, then the first impact is on the stool. However, you will need to change the bulbs frequently because they stop producing UVB light long before burning out. A slight weight drop is never an issue, but a significant weight drop causes a huge problem. It's called a urea cap or urea smear. They will live in woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, but also easily adapt to urban environments like parks and gardens. Inside that mouth, theres a vivid blue tongue, leading to the imaginative name blue-tongued skink. But should anything irritate or scare them, they hiss and puff themselves up. However, you need to set a routine for it so that you do not have to clean its enclosure every second day. Blue-tongued skinks, or 'blueys' are some of the largest skinks around. We found 37 'blue tongue skink' adverts for you in 'reptiles', in the UK and Ireland Follow this Search Top Searches: tortoise bearded dragon crested geckos iguana ball python leopard geckos pet frogs corn snake hognose sulcata tortoise 100 Each For Sale 6 x blue tongue skink merauke / irian jaya Ipswich 36 days ago New A d 275 Each For Sale Many people find themselves confused between dead, brumating, and sleeping blue tongue skink. 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. As soon as you take them out, they will understand the business and go for it. Blue-tongued skinks are closely related to the genera Cyclodomorphus and Hemisphaeriodon. Blue tongue skink poop can vary in appearance depending on the individual lizard's diet. In reality, the only venomous lizards are the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Blue Tongue Skink? Any of the above-mentioned is a sign of an issue in their stomach. Then wash you hands and change your clothes. Clint looks at the these incredible lizards to help you determine if the. Tiliqua nigrolutea, the Blotched blue-tongued skink, is the only species present in Tasmania. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. It stops eating and becomes lethargic. Give the lizard some time to acclimate to its new environment. An adult blue tongue skink requires a minimum of 8 sq ft of floor space or 120-gallon or a 48x24x18 enclosure. Its a great way to make use of both defence strategies. The lizard may rub itself hard on a surface, causing a soft tissue wound in such a situation. Parasites can infect the skin and internal organs to the point that it will take only a few hours to kill your pet. Breeding your Blue Tongued Skink is as easy as placing the male and female in the terrarium during the spring. In general, the droppings of the common house lizards are pellet-shaped . When kept as pets, theyre easy to hand-feed. They might hiss, huff, or sneeze occasionally but nothing more. This makes it good as a warning signal, potentially defending the lizard from predators or other skink competitors. 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. Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) This subspecies is known for having a personality that is pretty similar to the Tanimbar. Skinks are capable of releasing water in a liquid stream, but its generally only done due to stress or because they have retained too much water. The reproduction styles vary widely between species. [3] The tongue can also deform itself and produce a thick mucus in order to catch prey. For example, desert Sinks will want a dryer, sandier substrate, while those from wetter areas will do better with a mulch. If it does, the first thing is to not panic. That being said, many people have had blue-tongues - or rats and mice, which are also prey species for snakes - in their garden or shed for years and have never seen a snake. They are not very good climbers, as they have short legs and stout bodies. And any owner thats interested in one needs to know what they are! You can also dust food with calcium powder for good measure. But when a bluey gets used to associating your hands with lunch, you might find that they become hard to handle. Approximately half of their meal should be greens, a small amount of fruit, and the rest should be some type of protein. If it does, the first thing is to not panic. This shows they are aware of a certain danger and go out of their way to mitigate it. In addition, it will need a screened top, so it doesnt escape, and a front opening will help you access the reptile. As suggested by these common names, a prominent characteristic of the genus is a large blue tongue that can be . The blotched blue-tongued skink is found in southeastern Australia, the western is found in western Australia, and the shingleback is located in Western Australia.