What supplies do I need for a blue tongue skink?

What supplies do I need for a blue tongue skink?

Shopping List: What Do You Need for a Blue Tongue Skink?

• Front-opening 48″x24″x24″ enclosure.
• Halogen heat bulb.
• 8.5″ dome lamp with dimmable switch.
• Flat basking stone.
• Infrared temperature gun.
• Digital thermometer/hygrometer.
• 22″ T5 HO 10-12% UVB bulb.
• 24″ T5 HO reflective UVB fixture.

How often should I handle my blue tongue skink?

It should not be handled until it is comfortable in its new environment. Once your new skink is eating regularly, then handling can begin. Initial handling sessions should be limited to ten minutes or less per session. This can be done a couple times each day during the acclimation process.

Can you handle blue tongue skinks?

Blue tongue skinks are hefty little sausages of joy, so when you handle yours, take care to support its whole body across your forearm, including the tail. Skinks are defensive and quick to hide, so avoid loud noises or sudden movements. Keeping one of your hands visible can help your pet feel more secure.

What size tank do you need for a blue tongue skink?

ENCLOSURE SIZE:The enclosure should be a solid glass sided tank long enough to create the two separate temperature gradients (warm and cool); a blue tongue skink tank should be at least 55 gallons or larger for an adult and at least 20L for a baby.

Do blue-tongues Recognise people?

They are very intelligent and can learn to recognise sounds as well as people and can even be house trained with persistent lessons. When handled frequently they become very gentle pets and are quite happy to lounge around with you and your family watching the tele.

When should I start handling my blue tongue skink?

Summary on how to tame your blue tongue skink However, sit near its tank and ‘talk’ to it. Provide hides for your blue tongue to hide in. After 2-3 weeks (or 3-4 for wild caught), start handling.

Can blue tongues climb?

Blue-tongues may climb over rocks and logs, but they are not agile climbers. Be sure they cannot fall from any high areas, such as stacked rocks or branches, in their enclosures. This young blue-tongue will grow into a personable pet lizard that enjoys having its head and chin scratched.

Do blue-tongues need heat lamps?

Eastern Blue-tongues are diurnal (day time) reptiles and will require the day lights/ heat lamps to be turned off at night. To keep your Blue-tongue warm at night, place a Reptile One Heat Mat under a Reptile One Cave or Log, this will allow the Blue-tongue to settle on the mat while feeling protected by the ornament.

What kind of enclosure do you need for a blue tongue skink?

PVC is generally the best material for a blue tongue skink enclosure, as it’s waterproof and lightweight, but glass or well-sealed wood are also options. Do not house more than 1 blue tongue skink per enclosure. Housing blue tongue skinks together will likely stress them out, and risks them fighting and getting severely injured.

How long should I Keep my Blue Tongue warm?

In general, you can handle your blue tongue skink for as long as your blue tongue is comfortable for, but make sure to keep it warm. Often, 20-60 minutes should be enough per handling session. How to handle your blue tongue skink properly?

What does it mean when a blue tongue skink hisses?

If your blue tongue is being defensive, it will hiss, huff and display its open mouth to you. All of this would mean that your blue tongue skink is scared. Have you let your blue tongue acclimatize before starting handling sessions?

Why do some animals have a blue tongue?

The tongue is, of course, blue in color. It is thought that this unusual tongue is used to scare of would-be predators and to find food. They are generally a caramel-tan in color with black bands across the back.