blue-tongue-habitat-checklist

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

June 26, 2023 Edward Jones

To make things a little easier for you, we’ve crafted a comprehensive list of the supplies you’ll need to keep a blue tongued skink happy and healthy.

Blue Tongue Skinks are often considered great “starter reptiles,” and for good reason. They’re curious, friendly, and simply irresistible. However, don’t let their charm fool you into thinking they’re low-maintenance pets.

Like all pets, they require time, attention, and a bit of an investment. From their unique housing needs to their specific dietary requirements, there’s more to their care than meets the eye.

So, if you’re ready to jump in and commit to ensuring the well-being of your future Blue Tongue Skink, we’re here to guide you.

Below is a list of things you will need to take care of a blue tongued skink.

Blue Tongue Skink Supplies

1. Enclosure

A blue tongue skink requires a spacious and sturdy enclosure. Blue tongue skinks need at least a 75-gallon enclosure. Many people recommend a 40-gallon breeder but in my opinion, a 40-gallon is simply not enough for them. Because they can grow up to 30 inches. Remember, the bigger the better.

A product that I personally use and recommend is the Zen Habitat Reptile Enclosure. It has front window ventilation to reduce humidity, and the front doors allow easy access for maintenance. It’s a bit pricey, but it’s spacious and designed for reptiles, ensuring that your pet is safe and comfortable.

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2. Substrate

Substrate is basically the “flooring” in your skink’s enclosure. It’s vital to choose a substrate that mimics their natural environment to keep your pet comfortable.

The Indonesian and the northern blue tongue skinks require different humidity levels inside their enclosure. For a northern specie, you will need to use something that can hold humidity well. You can use cypress mulch, Raptor bark, eco earth, Spagna moss, or a mix of all these for Indonesian. For a northern, you use something like Aspen because it doesn’t need to hold humidity as much.

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3. Heat Source

Blue tongue skinks need warmth for their survival, as it helps them digest their food and regulate their body temperature.

We recommend getting an overhead heat source as opposed to heat pads for blue tongue skinks. They like to bask so an overhead heat source is definitely a good choice. You can buy either a basking bulb or use a ceramic heat emitter.

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4. UVB Lights

For blue tongue skinks, a UVB light is optional but we always recommend getting one to be on the safe side.

Sunlight plays a crucial role in the health of blue tongue skinks, helping them produce Vitamin D3, which is necessary for calcium absorption. The Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB Mini Compact Fluorescent Lamp is a great choice that emits appropriate UVB levels for your skink.

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5. Thermometer/Hygrometer

Temperature and humidity are critical factors in your skink’s environment. The Indonesian species require a much higher basking temperature than the northern species. The Indonesian skinks need around 100 degrees while the northern do fine at about 90 degrees.

To properly gauge the temperature inside the enclosure you will need a thermometer. A thermometer and hygrometer combo, like the Zoo Med Digital Thermometer and Humidity Gauge, is a must-have to ensure these factors are at optimal levels. It’s easy to use, accurate, and provides constant readings so you can adjust the environment as needed.

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6. Hiding Spots

It is also very important to provide a few hiding places for your skink inside the enclosure where they can hide whenever they want. Just like us, blue tongue skinks need their privacy too! That’s where hiding spots come in. These give your skink a sense of security and a place to retreat when they need some quiet time.

I recommend the Exo Terra Reptile Den. They’re natural-looking, blend seamlessly with the enclosure’s environment, and are perfect for providing that much-needed hiding spot.

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