| Captive Care & Husbandry of Northern Blue-tongued Skinks (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) |
Natural Environment
Northern Blue-tongued skinks are the largest species of
blue-tongue. They inhabit grasslands, woodlands and
forests in Northern Australia.
Vivarium Size & Design
Hatchling BTS can be raised easily in a 20 gallon long
terrarium (30" x 12" footprint). Adults will require large
accomodations befitting their large size (up to 24"). The
minimum cage size for a full grown adult would be a 40
breeder (36" x 18") with a 48" x 24" vivarium being more
appropriate.
Our blue tongue seems to appreciate the opportunity to
climb and really enjoys magnetic platforms with branches
leading up to them. She spends hours each day sitting on a
platform close to her basking lamp. She also appreciates
having a cave available for hiding and tends to sleep inside
of it.
Skinks, especially adults, are large, powerful animals, so be
sure to include a sturdy screened lid on whatever vivarium
you decide to use.
Temperature & Climate
Coming from a fairly temperate climate, skinks require
ambient daytime temperatures in the 80's with a basking
spot of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime temps can
safely drop into the 70's. Our skink vivarium is not heated at
night.
Humidity can be kept at a moderate level, 50-60%.
Lighting
The current consensus among BTS breeders seems to be
that UV lighting is not required. Many breeders raise their
BTS without any form of UV lighting. I do provide a small UV
fluorescent light for ours, simply to provide ambient lighting
for a day/night cycle.
Temperament & Handling
BTS, when carefully and gently handled from a young age,
can become very tame, even affectionate with their owners.
Most captive bred specimens will eventually tolerate lengthy
periods of handling and will rarely, if ever, bite or nip.
Lifespan
Healthy, well-cared for BTS can live up to 15 years.
More Detailed Information
Any amount of information I can provide on our site pales in
comparison to the detailed information assembled at
Northern Blue-tongued skinks are the largest species of
blue-tongue. They inhabit grasslands, woodlands and
forests in Northern Australia.
Vivarium Size & Design
Hatchling BTS can be raised easily in a 20 gallon long
terrarium (30" x 12" footprint). Adults will require large
accomodations befitting their large size (up to 24"). The
minimum cage size for a full grown adult would be a 40
breeder (36" x 18") with a 48" x 24" vivarium being more
appropriate.
Our blue tongue seems to appreciate the opportunity to
climb and really enjoys magnetic platforms with branches
leading up to them. She spends hours each day sitting on a
platform close to her basking lamp. She also appreciates
having a cave available for hiding and tends to sleep inside
of it.
Skinks, especially adults, are large, powerful animals, so be
sure to include a sturdy screened lid on whatever vivarium
you decide to use.
Temperature & Climate
Coming from a fairly temperate climate, skinks require
ambient daytime temperatures in the 80's with a basking
spot of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Nighttime temps can
safely drop into the 70's. Our skink vivarium is not heated at
night.
Humidity can be kept at a moderate level, 50-60%.
Lighting
The current consensus among BTS breeders seems to be
that UV lighting is not required. Many breeders raise their
BTS without any form of UV lighting. I do provide a small UV
fluorescent light for ours, simply to provide ambient lighting
for a day/night cycle.
Temperament & Handling
BTS, when carefully and gently handled from a young age,
can become very tame, even affectionate with their owners.
Most captive bred specimens will eventually tolerate lengthy
periods of handling and will rarely, if ever, bite or nip.
Lifespan
Healthy, well-cared for BTS can live up to 15 years.
More Detailed Information
Any amount of information I can provide on our site pales in
comparison to the detailed information assembled at
In addition to a wonderful and very detailed caresheet,
BTS.net also includes a very informative forum.
BTS.net also includes a very informative forum.
Hatchling BTS can easily fit in the palm of your hand, but can grow to over a foot in a
years timhttp://www.bluetongueskinks.net/e, with adult sizes ranging from 18-24
inches in length.
years timhttp://www.bluetongueskinks.net/e, with adult sizes ranging from 18-24
inches in length.
Tongue shots rock! You can see where they get their common name from!
Blue-tongues are fairly easy keepers. The hatchlings seem to enjoy a little more
protein in their diet. I have offered crickets, superworms, goliath hornworms,
cooked ground turkey, cat/dog food (low fat) and hard boiled egg. All are eaten with
relish. About 60% of their diet ought to be vegetables. For more detailed info on
diet, check out the diet chart at BTS.net.
protein in their diet. I have offered crickets, superworms, goliath hornworms,
cooked ground turkey, cat/dog food (low fat) and hard boiled egg. All are eaten with
relish. About 60% of their diet ought to be vegetables. For more detailed info on
diet, check out the diet chart at BTS.net.
