So You Want a Blue Tongue Skink: A Complete Guide to Care and Keeping

So You Want a Blue Tongue Skink: Blue Tongue Skink Care Guide (Exotic Animal Care Book 2)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1168 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	50 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Blue Tongue Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides) are a species of lizard native to Australia. They are a popular pet reptile due to their docile nature, striking coloration, and relative ease of care. If you are considering getting a Blue Tongue Skink as a pet, it is important to do your research to ensure that you can provide the proper care for this animal.

Choosing the Right Enclosure

The first step in caring for a Blue Tongue Skink is to choose the right enclosure. The enclosure should be large enough to provide your skink with plenty of space to move around and explore. A good rule of thumb is to choose an enclosure that is at least twice the length of your skink and at least as wide as your skink is long.

The enclosure should also be escape-proof. Blue Tongue Skinks are good climbers, so the enclosure should have a secure lid. The enclosure should also be well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of ammonia and other harmful gases.

Substrate

The substrate is the material that covers the bottom of the enclosure. There are a variety of substrates that can be used for Blue Tongue Skinks, such as aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or paper towels. The substrate should be absorbent and easy to clean.

Hiding Places

Blue Tongue Skinks need a place to hide to feel safe and secure. You should provide your skink with several hiding places, such as a cave, a log, or a piece of cork bark. The hiding places should be large enough for your skink to fit inside completely.

Heating and Lighting

Blue Tongue Skinks are cold-blooded, so they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. You will need to provide your skink with a heat source, such as a heat lamp or a heat rock. The heat source should be placed on one end of the enclosure, so that your skink can move to the other end to cool down if it gets too warm.

Blue Tongue Skinks also need UVB lighting to synthesize vitamin D3. UVB lighting can be provided by a fluorescent bulb or a mercury vapor bulb. The UVB bulb should be placed on the same end of the enclosure as the heat source.

Diet

Blue Tongue Skinks are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. A good diet for a Blue Tongue Skink consists of a variety of live insects, such as crickets, mealworms, and dubia roaches. You can also offer your skink fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, strawberries, and carrots.

Feeding

You should feed your Blue Tongue Skink every day or two. The amount of food you give your skink will depend on its size and age. A good rule of thumb is to offer your skink as much food as it can eat in 15 minutes.

Handling

Blue Tongue Skinks are generally docile reptiles, but they can become stressed if they are handled too much. You should only handle your skink when necessary, such as when you are cleaning its enclosure or feeding it. When you handle your skink, be gentle and support its body with both hands.

Health Care

Blue Tongue Skinks are generally healthy reptiles, but they can be susceptible to certain health problems, such as respiratory infections and digestive problems. It is important to take your skink to a veterinarian for regular checkups to ensure that it is healthy.

Blue Tongue Skinks make great pets for people of all ages. They are docile, easy to care for, and can live for up to 20 years. If you are considering getting a Blue Tongue Skink as a pet, be sure to do your research to ensure that you can provide the proper care for this animal.

So You Want a Blue Tongue Skink: Blue Tongue Skink Care Guide (Exotic Animal Care Book 2)

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1168 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	50 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE