Blue-toungued Skink (Tiliqua)
Distribution :-This particular species found around many areas of Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania.
Size :-They are a very stock built lizard that can grow to about 50cm (20 inches) in length.
Diet :-Blue-toungued Skinks are mainly insectivorous animals. Foods eaten consist of arthropods, smaller lizards, mealworms, wax worms, black field crickets (be aware that large black crickets can bite so any crickets that are not eaten should not be left in the enclosure for long periods of time or over night), locusts, brown crickets, earthworms, pink mice and some sweet fruit.
Heat source:- This can be either reflector (spot) lights in green, red or blue, ceramics or tubular heaters.
Wire mesh guards:- These should be fitted over all heat sources used in order to prevent any thermal burns.
Thermostat:- An essential part of any vivarium and is required to regulate the internal temperatures within the vivarium and to prevent your pet from becoming too hot or too cold.
Thermometers:- One should be placed each end of the vivarium in order to give an
accurate reading of the temperatures within the vivarium. Never go by the temperature on the thermostat as these are often inaccurate.
UV light source:- Reptisun 5.0UVB or Arcadia D3 lamp. These should be left on for 8 - 12 hours a day and replaced every 12 months unless otherwise stated by the manufacturer.
Housing:- This should consist of a dark wooden vivarium with a glass frontage and adequate ventilation. A vivarium measuring 1.2 meters (4ft) in length by 45cm (18 inches) deep by 45cm (18 inches) high is sufficient for a Skink. However, males are notoriously aggressive and should not be kept with other males. Hatchlings should be kept in a smaller container which can be housed in their future vivarium.
Hides:- These are essential to prevent stress and to allow your pet to hide away from the outside world. Artificial plants, boxes, plant pots, caves etc. all make excellent hides.
Water:- These animals in particular do not require great amounts of water, spraying on a daily basis is often sufficient, however it may be wise to supply a shallow bowl of water to enable the animal to use it when needed.
Temperature :-A basking area of around 31°C (88°F) is required at one end of the vivarium. A background temperature should be around 24 - 26°C (75 - 78°F).
Longevity :-Skinks if kept under the right conditions and given the correct diet can live between 8 and 15 years with some exceeding this.
Substrate:-This can be anything from newspaper, brown paper, wood chips, moss, cork chips or even Astro turf. Whatever you use, remember that it must be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent contamination from disease. Rocks should be strategically placed to produce crevices to create hides as these creatures are often shy and easily frightened. Make sure these rocks are stable and not likely to fall on the animal.
Salmonella:-Many reptiles carry the naturally forming bacteria Salmonella. It must be stated however that salmonella bacteria can only be contracted by ingestion (via the mouth). Good hygiene is therefore very important when keeping any animal. Remember, you are just as likely to contract salmonella from your Sunday lunch, cream cake or dog so don't automatically assume that your Skink is the only suspect!
This information is given as the opinion of Proteus Reptile Trust only.
Revised: March, 2001.
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