Blue Tongue Skink Enclosure Setup (6 Easy Steps)

Setting up an enclosure for a Blue Tongue Skink isn’t just about placing them in a tank with a few pieces of decor. It’s about creating a mini habitat that mirrors their natural environment and meets their biological needs, contributing to their health and happiness.

In this article, we will go through seven easy steps to set up an ideal enclosure for your Blue Tongue Skink. We’ll talk about choosing the right terrarium, the best substrates, the importance of lighting and heating, and how to automate these using some nifty devices.

Step 1: Choose the Right Terrarium

A terrarium, in simple terms, is our skink’s castle – it’s where they’ll eat, sleep, explore, and, quite simply, live their best life. The importance of picking the right terrarium can’t be overstated. It’s not just about providing our skinks a place to live; it’s about creating an environment where they can thrive.

Size is one of the most important factors to look for when choosing an enclosure for a blue tongue skink. Remember, these fellows love to roam and burrow. As a rule of thumb, I always recommend a minimum of 55-gallon tank size for an adult. But let me tell you, they’ll love you even more if you can manage a bigger one!

Based on my experience, the Zen Habitat Reptile Enclosure is a top-notch choice. With its patented front window ventilation, it ensures optimal heat and humidity regulation. The full screen top allows UVB and infrared penetration, making it perfect for our sun-loving skinks. Plus, the raised bottom frame provides space for a substrate heater. It’s spacious, easy to clean, and with its natural background, it’s like a slice of the outback right in your living room!

Products we recommend:

4’x2’x2′ Original PVC Reptile Enclosure

Step 2: Choose the Right Substrate

A substrate is the bedding or material we use to line the bottom of our skinks’ terrariums. Picking the right substrate is crucial because it impacts our skinks’ health and comfort in significant ways.

The substrate serves multiple purposes. It maintains humidity, absorbs waste, and can even help with our skinks’ natural digging behavior.

Some substrates can be risky, though, causing impaction if ingested. No worries, I’m here to guide you through the options, detailing the pros and cons, so you can make the best choice for your blue tongue buddy.

1. Cypress Mulch: Cypress mulch is one of my personal favorites. It’s excellent at retaining humidity and it’s safe for our skinks. It’s also a great texture for burrowing. The downside? It can be a bit messy, and you may find bits of it escaping the enclosure when your skink digs. An excellent option for cypress mulch is Zoo Med Forest Floor Bedding. It’s 100% natural cypress mulch and it’s available on Amazon.

2. Aspen Shavings: Aspen shavings are another good option. They’re highly absorbent and relatively dust-free. However, they don’t hold humidity as well as cypress mulch and are more prone to mold if they get too wet. I recommend