If the urine has landed on your hands and arms, then there is nothing to worry about. This issue mostly arises in wild blue tongue skinks because of their environment. This is perfectly normal. Most species, save for the shingle back, have smooth,flat scales. Finger biting is very common in these situations, and although theyre not poisonous, they do have pretty incredible jaw strength and can latch on hard. According to Laurie Hess, UV light is good for the lizards as it benefits them. The first is metabolic bone disease. Like any other reptile, blue tongue skink care requires you to follow some rather strict guidelines if you want your pet to live a long and happy life. Some species can be as long as 24 inches,including their tails. [6] All are viviparous, with litter sizes ranging from 1-4 in the pygmy blue-tongue and shingleback to 5-24 in the eastern and northern blue-tongues. Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. When they feel anxious, these lizards will hiss and flash their blue mouths. Your Blue Tongued Skink can shed quite frequently, especially while it is still growing. They might tell you if your pet can be saved or not. Blue-tongues are omnivorous and should be fed a combination of proteins, vegetables/greens, and fruits. [3] The tongue can also deform itself and produce a thick mucus in order to catch prey. A water dish will allow your pet to submerge itself for even more relief. Your Blue-tongued skink can eat all available cricket species, calcium worms (Black Soldier Fly larvae) morios, locust, silkworms, dendrobaena (earth worms), varied roach species and snails. Im wondering if this is ok or if I need to worry. Plus, if you move closer to them, they will become startled. Taking care of your pet is your responsibility, so do not run away from it instead be extra careful about it. However, there are noticeable regional differences. Using a heat emitter or overhead incandescent light, heat one spot of the enclosure to temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This species is beautiful,, 11 Types Of Chameleons That Make The Best Pets, Ackies Monitor Care: Size, Enclosure, Lifespan, Diet, Brazilian Rainbow Boa Care: Setup, Diet, Size & More, Can Bearded Dragons Eat Mice? It also helps keep your Skink hydrated. They are perfectly capable of biting, so you should never handle them forcefully. Wild-caught food is the easiest way to pass parasites to your pet accidentally, and we recommend captive-bred food when possible. Because they are harmless, and live in areas that are not highly trafficked by humans, these reptiles do not interact with humans too frequently. Check the humidity levels and open up the top of the tank to let some of that humid air out! As such, they displace wolf spiders and tarantulas and other burrowing spiders in their area to make space for themselves. But when a bluey gets used to associating your hands with lunch, you might find that they become hard to handle. Of course, we cant forget about the blue mouths! Choose size: Options: Reply . Today there are breeding programs to help bring back the population. Expert Tip: Use a solid dish that cant be tipped over. There are eight different species in the genus, with various colors and patterns. Normal Blue tongue skink poop is firm, elongated, light to dark brown and odor-free. It stops eating and becomes lethargic. Due to their preference for burrows, conservationists have discovered that by creating more burrows, they can improve the population of some of the more endangered species of blue tongued skink. Read on to learn about the blue tongue skink.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'animals_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_2',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-3-0'); The easiest way to distinguish these creatures has to be their bright blue tongue, that is, if you can see it! In the wild, blue tongue skinks live in semi-dry environments. Some treatments for the lizards can help and prolong their lives. Blue Tongue Skink Pee (Source: WL Fun Time YouTube) Yes, they do. The breathing becomes labored and rapid with crackling sounds. It enjoys being handled and is usually quite calm, so its a great choice for children. Blue-tongued skinks[2] comprise the Australasian genus Tiliqua, which contains some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). So, youll find that during the months of December or January, blue tongue skinks become less active, eat less, and sleep more. Blue Tongued Skink Care - Caring for Reptile Pet Blue Tongue Skinks. Blue Tongue skinks pee; however, it is neither as liquid as mammals, neither the process is same. The Western Blue Tongued Skink has a wide range but is a threatened species in many areas, so it may not be easy to find one. Australia has more species of skinks than . Pet Keen is reader-supported. 4, Why is the tongue of blue-tongued skinks blue? There are separate cremating spaces for animals where you can get the ashes in return too. It has a stout body and short legs. Depending on species, blue tongue skinks generally measure between 15-24 (38-61 cm). - Get their common name from their bright blue . The average blue tongue skink size is pretty big compared to other popular lizard species in the reptile trade. The centralian species is found in New South Wales, Australia. Why Do Ball Pythons Yawn & Should You Be Worried? Keep reading while we take a deep dive to learn as many facts about the Blue Tongued Skink as we can. Its usually dark brown or black, but you can find them in various colors, and its usually a little over seven inches long. Instead of moving about in the tank, they would remain stationary for hours. You can also dust food with calcium powder for good measure. Younger lizards may need more frequent feedings every other day. What You Should Do if Blue Tongue Skinks Pees on You? They may develop bone deformities, fractures, and more. The skin after shedding is delicate, and if rubbed hard, it could lead to an injury. Brown Green Gray Since I was a child, I have had an enormous interest in reptiles. This is another way they are able to thrive in such urban environments. The Northern blue tongue skink is one of the largest available. This can be achieved if the room their tank is placed in is kept between these temperatures. Moreover, you can bury or cremate them. They are also called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues, shinglebacks or the sleepy lizard in Australia. If your Blue tongue lizard is sick, a common symptom is weakness and lethargy. They should be fed a wide variety of protein sources, fruits, and vegetables. Blue tongue skinks have a gentle personality and do well with both beginners and experienced hobbyists. Its rare for any animal to die so suddenly, there are usually underlying causes for this to happen. It seems that the life of a bluey is all about finding the balance between food and parasite prevalence, and sadly, too many ticks reduce the animals mobility and energy expenditure. It usually gets the parasites by eating food that contains them. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. So, an animal that is predominantly camouflaged has the opportunity to suddenly present a glowing and distasteful-looking tongue to an enemy at short notice. Moreover, they are good at hiding any discomfort or pain, so its natural to assume that your reptile is not showing any signs of weakness. Blue Tongued Skink: The Dragon With A Blue Tongue - YouTube 0:00 7:33 Blue Tongued Skink: The Dragon With A Blue Tongue Animalogic 1.83M subscribers Subscribe 452K views 2 years ago Who needs. They have pretty healthy appetites and arent particularly picky about the things they consume. It has a mottled color pattern of white, brown, black, brown, and grey. The Australian Blue Tongued Skink can grow to reach 15 inches. Eastern blue-tongued skinks generally shy (Cronin 2014) May avoid areas used by high numbers of humans and domestic dogs (Dutson and Dutson 2016) Skink injury and mortality In New South Wales, Shine and Koenig (2001) report over 8,900 T. scincoides "rescues" over a 10-year period This design makes it easy to handle your reptile and gain access to the interior. Reptiles are becoming more and more popular in America because they have long lifespans and are relatively easy to raise. A poorly maintained habitat and a lackluster diet will lead to stress, disease, and a shorter lifespan. This should give you a good idea of what to expect of a brumating blue tongue skink. The Adelaide pygmy species is found exclusively in a small portion of south Australia. It has a yellow, orange body with black markings that can be bands or spots. This basking area should be on for about 12 hours a day. 1. But today, they are bred across the globe. All photos used are royalty-free, and credits are included in the Alt tag of each image. These are stocky, heavy lizards and arent particularly agile, so ambushing prey works best for them. There have been reports of specimens making it well past the 20-year mark! Another thing to note is that when your pet is brumating, you can always see them breathing even if they are hiding in their tank. Variety is important. However, those lizards are more of an exception rather than the rule. Generally, deep, vertical and as tight as they can fit into. There are several varieties of the Blue Tongue Skink, and they all have slightly different appearances. One of the smallest and most endangered species, the pygmy blue-tongued skink, has benefitted hugely from this cost-effective strategy, despite the burrows also encouraging one of their main predators a very large centipede. They drink a fair amount of water, BTS Species Descriptions --from bluetongueskinks.net, Tanimbar Island (Tiliqua scincoides chimaerea), Indonesian (Tiliqua gigas gigas) + Halmahera form. Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink. Clint looks at the these incredible lizards to help you determine if the. That said, seasoned lizard keepers love this species as well because of the many rare subspecies available. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Moreover, reptiles heal slowly, due to which this condition can develop and even cause a risk to their mortality. Blue tongue skink poop can vary in appearance depending on the individual lizard's diet. These are their safe spaces and with a diversity of lizard shapes and sizes, a diversity of spider burrows to fit them becomes a necessity. What initially started as curiosity quickly turned into a deep passion for herpetology, and a connection with the reptile community as a whole. Some more appearance signs may warn you about weight loss. However, there are some common reptile diseases that you need to keep an eye out for. Hence, if it does not respond to you, move around, seem heavy, and is not breathing, then it is dead. Skinks are capable of releasing water in a liquid stream, but its generally only done due to stress or because they have retained too much water. This is a significant first step to recognizing any issues in your pet. Once you get the habitat going, its inexpensive and easy to raise these pets. They usually live in dry or semi humid habitats and have an average life of ten to fifteen years but if kept in good shape, these animals can live up . While its technically considered to be a lizard, blue tongue skinks are a class of their own. Always choose a pet that has been bred in captivity rather than captured from the wild. If you notice your pet rubbing on branches or rough surfaces, its likely about ready to start shedding. You can ask the vet for the grounds to bury them because you have to get permission for that. The screened lid will promote ventilation, which helps to manage humidity levels a bit. Planning the perfect habitat for a blue tongue skink is much easier than most people think! There are a lot of skinks in the world. Northerns are the easiest Australian species to find in the United States. Photo credit: Melissa Hall Pygmy ( Tiliqua adelaidensis ): Most of the, the lizards suffer from problems of over ingestion, which if not controlled for in time can result in the blue tongue skinks health. read our article on how to get it to eat again here! Learn more. Parasites can infect the skin and internal organs to the point that it will take only a few hours to kill your pet. An average blue tongue skink weighs about 10-18 ounces. When bluetongue skinks are attacked, they don't curl up or run for cover. They are large skinks and can grow to a length of 20 to 50 cm. It is always sad to see your beloved pet die but you have to check for the symptoms, take them to the vet soon to eliminate this risk. These reptiles are omnivorous, which means that they will feed on both plant and animal matter. PetKeen.com does not intend to provide veterinary advice. When you buy a Blue Tongue skink from us, you automatically receive our 100% live arrival guarantee. Not only do they have a very interesting look, but theyre super low-maintenance! Without ant artificial colour and preservative; added . But with the blue tongue skink, thats not the case. Search our database of over 12348 posts with up-to-date information from our experts and veterinarians. Sometimes, the internal parasite infection is to such an extent that even after a good treatment, they may die suddenly. When kept as pets, theyre easy to hand-feed. the Tanimbar blue-tongued skink, a subspecies of Tiliqua scincoides, is also found on several small Indonesian islands between Australia and New Guinea. Rather than climb, these skinks will burrow into the sand and root around in search of prey. Hes also a musician and spends a lot of time helping people fix their guitars and composing music for independent films. As long as you follow the care guidelines we listed in the sheet above, youll be all set! They also use burrows and crevices to escape from potential predators or hazardous weather. Its usually brown, orange, black, and grey, but can be found in other colors too, including light blue. Theyre quite stubby and easily tuck under the body. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Blue Tongue Skink? Birds, reptiles and many invertebrates can see frequencies of light invisible to us, such as UV. Average lifespan is 15-20 years, although they are known to be capable of living 35+ years, which is an important consideration to keep in mind when you're . They have adapted themselves to the wild, but when they are in captivity, then the same habits resurface again. Kei Island Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua gigas keyensis) This subspecies is known for having a personality that is pretty similar to the Tanimbar. They need some humidity, but not too much of it. It may be possible to keep two females together or a bonded male and female pair. Most species are diurnal, ground-foraging omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits and berries. That's just the beginning of their craziness, too! Its belly is normally brown. It can cause your pets bones to become soft and brittle and may even result in the immobilization of your pet. The video below shows you what Metabolic Bone Disease does to your skink. The lights you use should be enough to decrease humidity. To avoid this, make sure that youre providing those 12 to 14 hours of UVB exposure per day. Some Skink varieties are smaller, but most will require a larger tank at least four feet long, two feet wide, and at least one foot deep to provide your reptile with enough space t move around. (Price Guide), Heat lamps to keep the temperature above 70 degrees. Blue tongue skinks are omnivores. Therefore, if you hold your pet lizard too hard or too loosely, chances are that it will end up peeing on you. Heat lamps are the best way to increase the temperature, and they also provide your pet with a basking spot that it will enjoy. Identifying a lizard poop outdoors can be quite tricky because they have close resemblance with the poop of bats. Like any other captive reptile, a blue tongue skinks health is directly affected by the level of care you provide. Blue-tongued skinks are solitary creatures that spend their days searching for food and basking in the sun. While this might sound daunting, blue tongue skink is actually pretty simple (especially compared to a lot of other species). However, if you find that the situation is just getting worse, then its time to put them down. The mating ritual can appear violent, and the male can claw and bite the female to help get into position. In fact, its the largest family of lizards, and skinks of various kinds inhabit most of the worlds continents. Not only that, but its one of the few reptile species that actually enjoy being handled! Tiliqua nigrolutea, the Blotched blue-tongued skink, is the only species present in Tasmania. The Surprising Answer, Do Bearded Dragons Eat Their Shed? The urine of a BTS does not sting, so all you need to do is to wash your hands thoroughly with a good anti-bacterial soap and then apply a moisturizer to keep your skin in a good shape and to suppress the smell. Expert Tip: Most are going to be on the larger end, so its best to plan accordingly and make sure that you have plenty of space. Inbreeding in dense populations is a common issue, as bad genes can be combined to make unhealthy offspring. The different species have a wide variety of patterns and color combinations, though most are sandy brown to dark brown in color.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'animals_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_3',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-animals_net-medrectangle-4-0'); These reptiles are commonly kept as pets, but there are actually a surprisingly large variety of blue tongue skinks. All eight of the species are viviparous, which means that they give birth to live young, rather than laying eggs or developing eggs within their bodies. [8] Specimens can live up to 20 years or more. Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skink. might just be the best pet lizard on planet earth. Stay calm and don't make any sudden movements, or it will stress out your skink. In addition, it will need a screened top, so it doesnt escape, and a front opening will help you access the reptile. These lizards are unique, docile, and easy to care for. If a blue tongue has peed or pooped on you, don't panic or throw the skink. Blue-tongued skinks are extremely hardy lizards that will thrive on just about any diet, but a well-balanced diet will result in a more active, healthier blue-tongued skink. Scientists believed that it was extinct until the 1990s. Blue tongue skink reptile lizards are harmless creatures that do not require a lot of attention and so they can become very good pets for anyone who does not like high maintenance animals. Expert Tip: You must ensure that ambient temperatures do not get lower than that! They are commonly called blue-tongued lizards or simply blue-tongues or blueys in Australia. some species give birth to only a single or handful of offspring, like the Adelaide pygmy, while others can produce as many as 24 babies. The Indonesian and Australian Blue Tongued Skinks are much more affordable than the Centralian or Shingleback varieties. Like birds they excrete uric acid and other toxins in solid form. What Do Blue Tailed Skinks Eat in the Wild and as Pets? Using the spray bottle to mist the reptile every few hours while keeping a close eye on an ergometer will produce the best results. 3. Give them some time to heal. The white mussy tip on their poop is Urate/ uric acid (pee). They are not very good climbers, as they have short legs and stout bodies. Yes, the Blue Tongued Skink is quite friendly and doesnt mind when you handle them. Most of the people get scared and throw the animal off their lap; this is exactly what scares the hell out of the poor creature. Its always best to keep track of their weight weekly and if you see a drop, then inform the vet. Our Handling Advice. [7], Blue-tongues skink species are generally docile, gentle, quiet and easily tamed, and can make a good reptile pet for beginners. So, if you find any such sign, you should first check the humidity and temperature of the tank and then give them water. Its also low maintenance once you have the habitat set up, and it will only require food and heat lamp replacements to live a long life. (1825). This problem is most common after the shedding period. A synopsis of the genera of reptiles and Amphibia, with a description of some new species. Skink's poop and pee from the same opening called Cloaca. If you see something like that, get your skink to the vet immediately. As one of the most versatile pet reptiles, Blue Tongue Skinks make excellent pets (opens in a new tab) for beginners and advanced herpetologists alike. The lizard may rub itself hard on a surface, causing a soft tissue wound in such a situation. You should always research well in advance about the heat, temperature, humidity, and light so that your pet does not suffer. Tiliqua scincoides intermedia - northern blue-tongued skink (northern Australia) Tiliqua scincoides chimaera - Tanimbar blue-tongued skink (Maluku Province, Indonesia) Description. Another big problem for many captive reptiles, including the Blue Tongued Skink, is Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD). Dusting the insects and other food you serve your pet with a calcium and Vitamin D3 supplement will help prevent the onset of this disease. For example, desert Sinks will want a dryer, sandier substrate, while those from wetter areas will do better with a mulch. Several subspecies are considered to be part of the larger blue tongue skink family. If caught early, they can live with it but the curved bones will stay that way. Starting with the substrate, use a dry, semi-soft material. These skinks are not dangerous, and their bite is not . Therefore, it is relatively easy to identify their poop from that of other household pests. When kept indoors, many reptiles that dont have exposure to UVB rays develop bone diseases. We recommend a brand that will provide your pet with important UVB light, which will give your pet the important nutrients it usually gets from the sun. Moreover, a discharge from the nose and eyes will also accompany it. Depending on the particular subspecies, they may also have large red or yellow eyes. Amazon Rainforest is a dream location to visit for many nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. In it, youll learn everything you need to know about blue tongue skink care so you can help your pet live a happy and healthy life! Moreover, if you spot them, they will look slouched instead of an alert posture. Most Blue Tongued Skinks have a similar diet to other reptiles. Yes, the Blue Tongue Skink will make a great pet and is suitable for children. Tip: If your blue tongue skink is not eating at all, read our article on how to get it to eat again here! I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and many other reptiles. That is the white portion of a lizards poop. Breeding your Blue Tongued Skink is as easy as placing the male and female in the terrarium during the spring. What Does Spider Poop Look Like?+Pictures Youll be happy to know that blue tongue skinks arent susceptible to any major illnesses that are specific to the species. The top should be screened to prevent escapes, and keep your pet safe from other animals reaching it. You might see your lizard crawling into the dish and laying motionless for a bit while they rehydrate. Other variants have distinct color morphs. For the Australian Aboriginal myth, see. Ackies monitors are definitely one of our favorite lizards, and many other owners agree. This occurs when your reptile isnt getting that UVB exposure they need. I duct taped off the baseboards as well so they can't chew them or crawl . The average blue tongue skink lifespan is somewhere between 15 and 20 years. Can You Bring a Dead Blue Tongue Skink to the Vet To Find Out the Cause of Death? They all have that iconic blue tongue and a relatively similar shape. If mating occurs and you notice the female getting larger in a few weeks, the breeding was successful, and she will give birth to a live baby. Sometimes, lizards don't eat for weeks, which can trigger weight loss. Its often bright yellow, so its one of the easier Skins to identify. Each needs a relatively large enclosure, no smaller than a 20-gallon aquarium. Then, see if they are limp and seem heavier than normal. Blue tongue skink lizards generally do not like to be handled or held in laps and most of the people do not even know how exactly to hold the reptile to make it comfortable. Northern blue tongue skinks are native to northern parts of Australia. In reality, the only venomous lizards are the gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard. The body colour of blue-tongued skinks doesn't attract attention. Partnerships between blueys last between about 10 and 43 days a year, and most males observed were classified as monogamous. Younger and still developing Blue Tongued Skinks should eat plenty of insects to build strong muscle, but once they are fully grown, you can feed them a diet that consists of as much as 40% fruits and vegetables. The Australian species do not need high humidity. Due to its large body size with relatively short legs, the skink is not very agile. I've had Jeff since January and he has grown quite a bit and has become very comfortable with me. These reptiles are quite hardy and have few health problems as long as you provide plenty of calcium. The bowl should be heavy or at least difficult to spill as Tiliqua will tip over any lightweight or unstable water bowls. The Blotched Blue Tongued Skink is usually a lighter color with darker spots, but the pattern can reverse, causing the body to be dark with light spots. Many animals avoid this one way or another, and the blue-tongued skink is no exception. [4] They are relatively shy in comparison with other lizards, and also significantly slower due to their shorter legs. They can be quite docile and easy to care for, as long as the owner is properly educated to their needs. They typically cost about $200. . Remember, these reptiles prefer floor space over anything else. If there is even a slight difference in the humidity or temperature levels of the tank, then your pet can die suddenly. For juvenile blue tongue skink, you will need a 40-50 gallon tank. Its one of the largest varieties and can reach 20 inches or more. But not as dogs or humans do. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. As a result, youre going to have to create a gradient temperature arrangement in the enclosure. You may also want to add a hide box. In this forum all are welcome to ask blue tongue skink-related questions, share information, ideas, tips, experiences, and pictures with fellow BTS enthusiasts. In fact, we consider blue tongue skink care to be something anyone can manage (no matter how much experience they have). You need to train your pet lizard to go out for peeing; this is not a very difficult job since these animals only urinate once in a day. We know that they recognise relatedness in one another, as they are able to pick mates with the most distant genetic similarities, but how they can tell remains a mystery. But when captured, or away from their natural habitat, such issues are common to arise. Juvenile blue-tongue lizards face many dangers during . Preferably, you should get a new tank if you have not gone for necropsy because you dont know the reason for their death. However, if you feel like there could be an injury, its best to separate them and try again with a different mate. BHB $700 Blue tongue skinks, also known as blue-tongued skinks, are an Australian genus of reptiles that are members of the skink (Scincidae) family. There is a reduction of weight from the ribs as well. The Indonesian, and Australian species are found in their respective namesakes, Indonesia and Australia. The Irian Jaya Blue Tongue Skink is another large reptile that can exceed 20 inches, but its extremely rare and maybe a hybrid. They will also eat fruits and vegetables and are no too picky about what they eat when they are hungry. The only cause of concern should be if the blue tongue skink is breathing with their mouth open all the time. Its an easy-going reptile that adapts well to many environments. The blue tonged (or tongue) skink, also called blue-tongued lizards, are a kind of skink that's a common pet reptile. Learn more. Reptile Direct is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Over on the cool end, temperatures should be between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If we have convinced you to get one for your home, please share this guide to the Blue Tonged Skink on Facebook and Twitter. You can install a UVB light over the enclosure and leave it on for 12 to 14 hours per day. Hues of orange, chestnut, and even red can be found throughout the back. It has a light-colored body with wide bands of brown. These animals live in distinct habitats in the wild that cater to their biological needs and lifestyle. They will even fight among those of the same species. Most of the time, the issues lie in the vivarium temperature and humidity levels which may cause your skink to die suddenly. Also, keep an eye on this dish and refill it frequently. You will need to use heat lamps to increase the temperature in your terrarium to more than 70 degrees. Here are some good options for proteins: Here are some fruits and vegetables you can try in their diet as well: Adult blue tongue skinks will need to be fed every two or three days. Turner, G. 2001. Approximately 50 percent should be vegetables while 10 percent should be sweet fruits.