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Care sheet

Blue-Tongued Skink

Tiliqua scincoides

Also known as: Common Blue-Tongue, Eastern Blue-Tongue

Scincidae · Squamata

IntermediateIUCN LC
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Temperament
Docile
Adult length
18–24 in
Adult weight
350–700 g
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Native range
Eastern and northern Australia, parts of Indonesia — woodland, grassland, suburbs

Care guide

Overview

Blue-Tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides) — Heavy-bodied, tongue-flashing omnivore with a reputation as a "cat of the reptile world" — interactive, personable, food-motivated. Intermediate-level husbandry because of the enclosure size requirement (4 feet of floor space minimum for an adult), mandatory UVB, deep substrate for the natural burrowing behavior, and the balanced omnivore diet. Locale matters — Northern, Eastern, Indonesian, and Irian Jaya types have meaningfully different humidity preferences; confirm your animal's locale and adjust husbandry accordingly. Bites from adults are capable of drawing blood.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
70–78 °F
Warm side
80–90 °F
Basking spot
95–105 °F
Nighttime
65–75 °F
Humidity (ambient)
40–60%
Shed-cycle boost
60–75%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T5 HO
Distance to basking
12–18 in
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Terrestrial
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • Hatchling20 gallon long (temporarily)
  • Juvenile40 gallon breeder
  • Adult4'×2'×1.5' (minimum); 6'×2'×2' strongly preferred

Housing

Substrate

Depth
4–6 in
Safe options
topsoil/coco fiber mixcypress mulchaspen shavings (for locales with lower humidity needs)bioactive with sphagnum layer
Avoid
calcium sandwalnut shellcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Omnivore
Prey size by life stage
  • HatchlingPinky mice, small dubia, eggs, mixed greens
  • JuvenileAdult mice, medium dubia, mixed protein + greens
  • AdultPrepared wet food (dog/cat food reference), rodents, snails, greens
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • HatchlingDaily; varied protein and plant matter
  • JuvenileEvery other day; balanced protein/greens
  • AdultEvery 3–5 days; 50% protein / 40% vegetables / 10% fruit by volume
Prey ratio by body weight
Stage
Body weight
Prey (% BW)
Interval
  • Hatchling
    up to 80 g
    5–10%
    1 day
  • Juvenile
    81–250 g
    4–7%
    2 days
  • Subadult
    251–400 g
    3–5%
    3–4 days
  • Adult
    401 g+
    2–4%
    3–5 days

Feed prey roughly the listed percentage of the snake's current weight, at the listed interval. Use it as a starting point — adjust based on body condition, not the calendar.

Feeding thresholds
Typical hatchling weight
15–30 g
Power-feeding line
> 8% body weight
30-day weight-loss concern
> 10% in 30 days
Supplementation

**Balanced omnivore diet** is the defining husbandry concept. Adults: 50% animal protein (quality canned dog/cat food used as a reference staple, cooked lean meat, whole prey, snails, eggs), 40% vegetables (collard greens, squash, green beans), 10% fruit (berries, melon — treat). Dust protein portion with calcium at most feedings; reptile multivitamin 1× per week. Obesity is the second-most-common husbandry failure after UVB neglect — don't overfeed adults.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Large enough to soak; replace daily.

Brumation (optional)

Adults may brumate or significantly slow down over winter even in captivity. Not required for pet animals but not a concern if they self-regulate into a rest period with appropriate lighting changes.

Defensive displays
tongue-flashing (displays the blue tongue)hissingbody-puffingbite (powerful — capable of drawing blood in adults)

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern
Wild populations

Australian subspecies are export-restricted; most blue-tongued skinks in the international trade are Indonesian (Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea / Irian Jaya type) or captive-bred Australian-descent animals.

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Moderate

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. Blue-Tongue Skink Care Sheet

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Keeper reference for Tiliqua scincoides with veterinary cross-references.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  2. Blue Tongue Skink Care Sheet

    The Bio Dude

    breeder community

    Bioactive care reference for Tiliqua scincoides.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  3. Blue-Tongued Skink Care

    Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center

    veterinary

    Veterinary husbandry reference for Tiliqua scincoides.

    Published: 2023-01-01