As a good rule of thumb, 40 percent of their diet should consist of protein-based foods. This makes it good as a warning signal, potentially defending the lizard from predators or other skink competitors. Blue-tongue lizards have developed a resistance to the venom of the red-bellied black snake, according to new research. The interesting thing, however, is that we dont know exactly how they do it. 4, Why is the tongue of blue-tongued skinks blue? Blue Tongue Skinks make for a great pet because they are low maintenance and friendly. There are 7 species of blue-tongue in Australia. Lethargic Restless Behaviour Irregular Shedding Loss Of Appetite Random Wounds You Are Not Cleaning Their Urine. Its always a sad affair when your pet dies. You can bring a dead blue tongue skink to the vet to know the reason for their death. The centralian species is found in New South Wales, Australia. You can expect to pay between $150 and $2,000 for your Blue Tongued Skink, depending on the breed you choose. Planning the perfect habitat for a blue tongue skink is much easier than most people think! Blueys have been tracked with radio transmitters around gardens in Sydney, Australia. Lizard poop is black with white colored tips on one end. Skinks pee a lot! They are not climbers, so surface area of the ground is more important than vertical climbing space. 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. However, you will need to change the bulbs frequently because they stop producing UVB light long before burning out. Incorporate a few rocks and logs into the habitat, but dont go overboard! When bluetongue skinks are attacked, they don't curl up or run for cover. Due to its large body size with relatively short legs, the skink is not very agile. Blue tongue skinks are no different. Reflectance of lingual surface and its consequences for visual perception by conspecifics and predators. In addition, it will need a screened top, so it doesnt escape, and a front opening will help you access the reptile. The Northern blue tongue skink is one of the largest available. It seems that the increase in centipedes is outweighed by the inprovements in lizard accommodation, which is great news for the species success! Taking care of your pet is your responsibility, so do not run away from it instead be extra careful about it. Lizards do not urinate in the conventional sense of the word. They may develop bone deformities, fractures, and more. The Northern and the Indonesian blue tongue skinks are the most popular varieties that are kept as pets. They both have different humidity requirements for the tanks and if they are not met, then things can take an ugly turn. They will perform necropsy that will help determine the cause. Blue tongue skinks self regulate their body heat. All the skinks species are active in this form. They will also feed on fruits, flowers, and berries, if they come across them. Most Skinks like to dig, so you will want to make sure the substrate is several inches thick. Blue-tongued skinks are colorful little lizards that are full of quirks. However, in some cases lethargy is due to natural processes and nothing to worry about. Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. Their normal breathing is primarily shallow and deep. Of course, you should always exercise caution before handling reptiles. Kept properly, blue-tongued skinks can live for 15 to 20 years, and possibly longer. 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. However, due to its fascinating biodiversity, the world's largest tropical rainforest also has its fair share of Tiliqua nigrolutea, the Blotched blue-tongued skink, is the only species present in Tasmania. 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. So, if you find any such sign, you should first check the humidity and temperature of the tank and then give them water. Respiratory infections and skin issues are common, too. In addition to standard lighting, blue tongue skinks will also need UVB lighting. But today, they are bred across the globe. These animals live in distinct habitats in the wild that cater to their biological needs and lifestyle. The urine is not likely to leave any stains or marks on your shirt or dress but there are chances that you may not be able to wear the shirt because of the high, stringent smell of a blue tongue reptile. Yes, the Blue Tongue Skink will make a great pet and is suitable for children. Inbreeding in dense populations is a common issue, as bad genes can be combined to make unhealthy offspring. In this, the shed sticks to their feet or eyes and causes them harm. Depending on species, blue tongue skinks generally measure between 15-24 (38-61 cm). Average lifespan is 15-20 years, although they are known to be capable of living 35+ years, which is an important consideration to keep in mind when you're . That would look like - staying still for hours, hiding, too weak to even push off their feet and will slither around like snakes instead. Any of the above-mentioned is a sign of an issue in their stomach. Sometimes, lizards dont eat for weeks, which can trigger weight loss. Blue tongued skinks are hunted by a variety of large and medium-sized predators, most notably including birds of prey, large snakes and monitor lizards (goannas). Adults reach lengths between 18 and 24 inches. Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink. 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 . These creatures are covered in scales and have a smooth shape that closely resembles a snake. The larger the size, the better. The remaining 60 percent needs to be plant-based foods. are large, diurnal, terrestrial lizards that can be found all over Australia and Indonesia. On average, a Blue Tongue Skink costs from $150 to a few hundred USD. Aptly named for their vibrant blue mouths, the blue tongue skink (Tiliqua scincoides) is a favorite among reptile enthusiasts. This basking area should be on for about 12 hours a day. It would help if you did a daily checking routine to identify such issues. These are stocky, heavy lizards and aren't particularly agile, so ambushing prey works best for them. Avoid using anything too hard. 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. [7], Blue-tongues skink species are generally docile, gentle, quiet and easily tamed, and can make a good reptile pet for beginners. 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. Their urate (pee) comes along with their poop. However, you need to set a routine for it so that you do not have to clean its enclosure every second day. When youre keeping one in captivity, your goal should always be to replicate their environment and provide a biologically appropriate diet. In fact, frequent handling can help them recognize you, and they will become more relaxed and less likely to take a defensive posture. To solve the humidity issue, you can either keep a bowl of water or occasionally spray some water to maintain humidity but this will not keep the humidity stable. [4] They are relatively shy in comparison with other lizards, and also significantly slower due to their shorter legs. Read on to learn about the blue tongue skink.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'animals_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-3-0'); The easiest way to distinguish these creatures has to be their bright blue tongue, that is, if you can see it! When threatened by predators, they will display their tongues as an attempt to scare or intimidate. They may even have internal parasites such as tapeworm, roundworm, or lungworm. Learn more. Its always good to go for a new tank because a new reptile will not feel comfortable with the smell around him. How To Differentiate Between a Dead, Brumating, and a Sleeping Blue Tongue Skink? It has a light-colored body with wide bands of brown. The fact that they are ready for a life without their parents right after they are born directly relates to their ability to learn. 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. But when a bluey gets used to associating your hands with lunch, you might find that they become hard to handle. Either way, this box should be big enough for the lizard to get into when theyre feeling a bit overwhelmed. Blue Tongue Skink Pee (Source: WL Fun Time YouTube) Yes, they do. You will need 20-40 gallons for baby blue tongue skinks. 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. These reptiles are omnivorous, which means that they will feed on both plant and animal matter. Old wives tales about blue tongue skinks are rampant, and all are untrue. You can ask the vet for the grounds to bury them because you have to get permission for that. Whether you have concerns about your dog, cat, or other pet, trained vets have the answers! The Surprising Answer, Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed? The ecology of an Australian reptile icon: how do blue-tongued lizards (Tiliqua scincoides) survive in suburbia? Avoid onion, avocado, rhubarb, and tomato greens! It can grow to 15 or 20 inches and is slow-moving. As a result, youre going to have to create a gradient temperature arrangement in the enclosure. As suggested by these common names, a prominent characteristic of the genus is a large blue tongue that can be bared as bluff-warning to potential enemies. This is a significant first step to recognizing any issues in your pet. It can also be released at the same time as faeces. Another big problem for many captive reptiles, including the Blue Tongued Skink, is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). Variety is important. 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. They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. Dehydration in a reptile is a serious concern because it affects their mouth and their eyes. A hot basking area is required and should be kept between 95 and 100. They would eat plants, insects, animals, etc., to satisfy their hunger. These animals have four limbs, with five equal-length toes. Youll be happy to know that blue tongue skinks arent susceptible to any major illnesses that are specific to the species. This is the most confusing sign of all as you dont understand the breathing patterns of a blue tongue skink. Blue tongue skinks arent huge climbers, but they do enjoy basking on a raised rock every once in a while. Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, flowers, fruits, and berries. Preferably, you should get a new tank if you have not gone for necropsy because you dont know the reason for their death. There have been reports of specimens making it well past the 20-year mark! Besides its attractive blue tongue, its great because it doesnt mind when you handle them, so you wont have to teach your children to stay away. This blue tongue skink is recognizable from other subspecies by a short tail, a bold black band behind each eye, and a thicker patterning along the body. Rather than climb, these skinks will burrow into the sand and root around in search of prey. It has a mottled color pattern of white, brown, black, brown, and grey. This issue mostly arises in wild blue tongue skinks because of their environment. Identifying a lizard poop outdoors can be quite tricky because they have close resemblance with the poop of bats. They typically cost about $200. Northerns are the easiest Australian species to find in the United States. In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. Blue tongue skink reptile lizards are harmless creatures that do not require a lot of attention and so they can become very good pets for anyone who does not like high maintenance animals. Lower humidity can cause the skin to stick and be difficult to remove, especially around the eyes. All species are ground dwelling, and hunt amongst the lower vegetation and rocks during the day. The variation within the species has put the blue tongue skink in a very unique position. Most species are diurnal, ground-foraging omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits and berries. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_7',117,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-large-leaderboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'animals_net-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_8',117,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-large-leaderboard-2-0_1'); .large-leaderboard-2-multi-117{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Blue-tongued skinks are solitary creatures that spend their days searching for food and basking in the sun. This is actually the lizard's urine. 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. In fact, its easy to mistake skinks for snakes when they are buried or partially hidden! It has armored scales and a tough and rugged appearance. Hunter Briggs is an experienced reptile breeder who has been keeping and raising various species over the past seven years. We have some healthy Blue-Tongue skinks for sale at unbeatable prices. More often than not, these problems are directly caused by high humidity levels in the enclosure. It can lead to a swollen abdomen, blood in feces, and a lack of droppings. They might tell you if your pet can be saved or not. This condition takes place because your pet has ingested some substrate particles that are blocking the digestive tract. However, if your skink is sick, they will prefer to hide from everyone. However, if you find that the situation is just getting worse, then its time to put them down. Humidity will need to stay between 40% and 60%. Moreover, reptiles heal slowly, due to which this condition can develop and even cause a risk to their mortality. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. It may look like your pet is dead but keep a check on their breathing. It is advisable not to startle or provoke them, as they may bite if they feel threatened. Some species, the Australian blue-tongued skink in particular, are popular as pets. WE HAVE ONE OF THE GREATEST SELECTIONS YOU WILL FIND INCLUDING BLUE TONGUE SKINKS, RED SIDED SKINKS, CROCODILE SKINKS, TREE SKINKS AND MORE. might just be the best pet lizard on planet earth. While this might sound daunting, blue tongue skink is actually pretty simple (especially compared to a lot of other species). These are their safe spaces and with a diversity of lizard shapes and sizes, a diversity of spider burrows to fit them becomes a necessity. 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. However, breeders are getting much better at creating captive bred reptiles, and these pieces are likely to fall in the next few years. From snout to tail measurements, Blue Tongue Skinks average at 17 inches long. 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. Some Skink varieties are smaller, but most will require a larger tank at least four feet long, two feet wide, and at least one foot deep to provide your reptile with enough space t move around. Blue Tongued Skink: The Dragon With A Blue Tongue - YouTube 0:00 7:33 Blue Tongued Skink: The Dragon With A Blue Tongue Animalogic 1.83M subscribers Subscribe 452K views 2 years ago Who needs. Hey! Ed Malaker is a veteran writer who has contributed to a wide range of blogs that cover tools, pets, guitars, fitness, and computer programming. But this doesnt mean that you give up all hope instantly. Blue tongue skinks may try to eat the substrate, which could lead to impaction issues. Because they are harmless, and live in areas that are not highly trafficked by humans, these reptiles do not interact with humans too frequently. While its technically considered to be a lizard, blue tongue skinks are a class of their own. According to Laurie Hess, UV light is good for the lizards as it benefits them.