So monitor your skink closely for bloody feces, lethargy, loss of appetite, and other such symptoms. Learn more. Tip: If your blue tongue skink is not eating at all, read our article on how to get it to eat again here! The reproduction styles vary widely between species. The loss of appetite happens during that time, so keep a check on the other signs. 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. The legs of these amazing lizards are small, too. 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. They will live in woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural areas, but also easily adapt to urban environments like parks and gardens. You can try to soak your shirt overnight in warm water and a good detergent but there are chances that the smell might not go away. They are perfectly capable of biting, so you should never handle them forcefully. There are 7 species of blue-tongue in Australia. How Much Does It Cost to Own a Blue Tongue Skink? Pygmy blue-tongued skinks are the smallest and rarest of the skink species, measuring a mere 4 inches (10 cm) in length at the max. A water dish will allow your pet to submerge itself for even more relief. The breathing becomes labored and rapid with crackling sounds. 600K views 5 years ago Blue-tongue skinks (Tiliqua spp.) You will need to use heat lamps to increase the temperature in your terrarium to more than 70 degrees. Latest posts by Pierre And The ReptileCraze Team. If you have any other questions about how to take care of this reptile, dont hesitate to reach out. There are eight different species in the genus, with various colors and patterns. The Indonesian and Australian Blue Tongued Skinks are much more affordable than the Centralian or Shingleback varieties. As a bare minimum, the enclosure should measure at least 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. Those that have adapted to urbanized living will have more common interactions, but are generally left to their own devices as they prey on pesky insects in gardens. If they are slithering like snakes, they cannot get up, or their strength has waned, something is wrong. Larger lizards, occupying the most resource-rich area are also the ones most heavily burdened by tick infestations. As a good rule of thumb, 40 percent of their diet should consist of protein-based foods. If you do things right, you may get to the point where the lizard wants you to hold them! UVB lighting is meant to replicate the effects of the suns rays, which are crucial for good health. The healthier you are animal, the more at peace your life will be too. They can be quite docile and easy to care for, as long as the owner is properly educated to their needs. In fact, its easy to mistake skinks for snakes when they are buried or partially hidden! It has a mottled color pattern of white, brown, black, brown, and grey. 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. According to Laurie Hess, UV light is good for the lizards as it benefits them. Amazon Rainforest is a dream location to visit for many nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Therefore, if you hold your pet lizard too hard or too loosely, chances are that it will end up peeing on you. Using a heat emitter or overhead incandescent light, heat one spot of the enclosure to temperatures between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend increasing the humidity with more frequent spraying to help the skin come off easier. On average, a Blue Tongue Skink costs from $150 to a few hundred USD. Using the spray bottle to mist the reptile every few hours while keeping a close eye on an ergometer will produce the best results. However, there are noticeable regional differences. Their first line of defense is to simply remain undetected by hiding or relying on their cryptic body coloration. Blue-tongued skinks, or blueys are some of the largest skinks around. The best type of enclosure for a blue tongue skink is a glass reptile tank with a screened lid. If your pet has fallen prey to this disease, there is no going back as you cannot reverse it. Whereas, for abnormal Blue tongue skink poop keep an eye for any of the following: Runny poop Green or yellow poop Bloody poop All White Excretes Excess uric acid Strong unpleasant smell Chalky and hard urate While in these developed spaces, theyve been documented avoiding roads. We understand that their appetite can become a bit less some days, but if its happening for a couple of days, you need to contact your vet. But when they are dehydrated, their eyes will seem droopy and have slight haziness. Variety is important. The larger the size, the better. Some of the common signs that may signify a dying blue tongue skink are: If you doubt that something may be wrong with your pet, read on to know about the signs and what you can do in detail. The most common characteristic of these lizards is the blue tongue that is used to warn potential predators. 10 Month Old Female Northern Blue-Tongued Skink GGRF $399 10 Month Old Northern Blue-Tongued Skink GGRF $399 PROVEN Female Northern Blue-Tongued Skink Mike's Exotics $400 Hypo Male Northern Blue-Tongued Skink '16 Bucknercrest $500 Adult Hypo Eastern Blue Tongue Skink- #03 Northern Blue-Tongued Skink ? As long as you follow the care guidelines we listed in the sheet above, youll be all set! Not only do they have a very interesting look, but theyre super low-maintenance! This way, their pet can brumate in peace. The tongue of a bluey reflects UV, and therefore likely looks even more bright and shocking to these animals than it does to us. However, two males should never be kept together! As earlier stated, their pee is the whitish part of their excretion. The urine is not likely to leave any stains or marks on your shirt or dress but there are chances that you may not be able to wear the shirt because of the high, stringent smell of a blue tongue reptile. 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. One genus of this skink family is particularly large and has immensely powerful jaws. Once they get more comfortable in the enclosure, you can start handling them. Today there are breeding programs to help bring back the population. The lizard may rub itself hard on a surface, causing a soft tissue wound in such a situation. Respiratory infections and skin issues are common, too. Blueys have been tracked with radio transmitters around gardens in Sydney, Australia. Expert Tip: You can also choose a reptile enclosure with swinging front doors. Depending on species, they can be found in scrublands, grasslands, mediterranean and temperate forests, tropical rainforests, and even deserts. The average blue tongue skink size is pretty big compared to other popular lizard species in the reptile trade. If we have convinced you to get one for your home, please share this guide to the Blue Tonged Skink on Facebook and Twitter. Identifying a lizard poop outdoors can be quite tricky because they have close resemblance with the poop of bats. If your Blue tongue lizard is sick, a common symptom is weakness and lethargy. You can also dust food with calcium powder for good measure. The skin after shedding is delicate, and if rubbed hard, it could lead to an injury. Blue-Tongued Skink Care Sheet For First-Time Owners - Everything Reptiles The general temperature of the tank should be kept between 70 and 80. Oftentimes, the lizard will use it to ward off potential predators. Blue tongue skinks self regulate their body heat. Its an easy-going reptile that adapts well to many environments. Owners will typically mix up food ingredients regularly to ensure that the lizard is getting all the nutrients and vitamins they need. As we mentioned earlier, you will need to keep the temperature in your terrarium between 70 80 degrees. 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. We hope you have enjoyed our look into these interesting reptiles and have found the answers you need. They would eat plants, insects, animals, etc., to satisfy their hunger. The more you handle the blue tongue skink, the more it will get comfortable with the process. Hello Im new to blue tongue skinks and am wondering how much pee us too much pee for a baby BTS. Sneezing is natural and helps your blue tongue skink clean its nose. Inbreeding in dense populations is a common issue, as bad genes can be combined to make unhealthy offspring. This means its best to keep the habitat relatively bare. The dish should be large enough for the skink to soak in! 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. Blueys love burrows. Your first response should always be to take your blue tongue skink to the vet and ask them for help. This is the place! The mating ritual can appear violent, and the male can claw and bite the female to help get into position. Blue tongue skinks (BTS) are a popular lizard pet kept in homes around the world. SMART CHOIZ SUGAR GLIDER FRUIT PELLETS WITH GOAT MILK Pellets with fruity flavor with added goat milk make a perfect combination for your beloved sugar gliders as a meal. The bowl should be heavy or at least difficult to spill as Tiliqua will tip over any lightweight or unstable water bowls. If your blue tongue skink is sneezing a lot, it can mean that the substrate is dusty or too fine, and is getting in the nose. The Australian species do not need high humidity. Dealing with Blue Tongue Skink Metabolic Bone Disease, Symptoms and the Treatment of Mites in Skink, Tips and Suggestions on Preventing Escape, Feeding Precautions of the Blue Tongue Skink, Distinguishing Traits of Male and Female Blue Tongue Skink. The first rumor is that these reptiles are venomous. 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. These animals have four limbs, with five equal-length toes. When your blue tongue skink dies, remove them from the tank otherwise, it will smell terrible. On the other hand, an unhealthy poop may look yellow, green, too mushy, long, or have a foul smell. Learn more about the variety of species and their unique adaptations below. Easy to care for with an abundance of personality, Blue Tongue Skinks can ease a novice reptile owner into caring for a unique pet, or they can pose a breeding challenge for more experienced owners. Otherwise, it will get challenging to save them. The table below gives a better idea about the humidity requirements for various types of blue tongue skinks. It will primarily eat insects like crickets, waxworms, snails, and more. Parasites are a common problem for the Blue Tongued Skink. This pelleted food made to meet the dietary requirements of your sugar glider. This is the most confusing sign of all as you dont understand the breathing patterns of a blue tongue skink. If caught early, they can live with it but the curved bones will stay that way. Classic Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. In the wild, blue tongue skinks live in semi-dry environments. Additionally, before the brumating period, many owners take their blue tongue skinks to the vet and get them checked for parasites. Their thick bodies with short legs make them better adapted to burrowing and digging on the ground. You can make one yourself out of wood or purchase a premade box thats crafted out of plastic. Plus, if you move closer to them, they will become startled. Start by holding them for short 10-minute sessions. 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. 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. Of course, you should always exercise caution before handling reptiles. Always choose a pet that has been bred in captivity rather than captured from the wild. Other variants have distinct color morphs. Its often bright yellow, so its one of the easier Skins to identify. You can find this Skink in South Australia. Each needs a relatively large enclosure, no smaller than a 20-gallon aquarium. With all the snails and garden pests around, they make a valuable contribution to a vegetable patch, as long as the crops arent on the lizards menu. They need some humidity, but not too much of it. How Long Can Bearded Dragons Go Without Heat? Blue-tongued skinks are closely related to the genera Cyclodomorphus and Hemisphaeriodon. Such a vivid attribute has to come with a purpose, and with the blueys, this tongue licks a lot of boxes. When hes not writing, Ed is usually performing DIY projects around the house or working in the garden. Last edited on 15 February 2023, at 02:03, "Prey Capture Behavior in the Blue-tongued Skink, Tiliqua scincoides", Department for Environment and Heritage > Pygmy Bluetongue Lizard - fact sheet, "Feeding and Care of Your Blue-Tongued Skink", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Blue-tongued_skink&oldid=1139424209, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 02:03. Its a great way to make use of both defence strategies. Sometimes, the internal parasite infection is to such an extent that even after a good treatment, they may die suddenly. Moreover, reptiles heal slowly, due to which this condition can develop and even cause a risk to their mortality. In all, if your blue tongue skink is sleeping a lot during the brumating period, theres nothing to worry about as its natural. But if you have had a blue tongue skink for a long time, then you know their routine. Variety is very important when it comes to the diet of a blue tongue skink. Blue Tongue Skinks are awesome if you can find one! For example, desert Sinks will want a dryer, sandier substrate, while those from wetter areas will do better with a mulch. Some species, the Australian blue-tongued skink in particular, are popular as pets. But its essential to know the signs so that you can prevent that from happening. It can lead to a swollen abdomen, blood in feces, and a lack of droppings. That would look like - staying still for hours, hiding, too weak to even push off their feet and will slither around like snakes instead. This is quite unusual for lizards, who typically dont like one another very often. Their diet includes insects, worms, snails, flowers, fruits, and berries. Australian Reptile Keeper Publications. That being said, many people have had blue-tongues - or rats and mice, which are also prey species for snakes - in their garden or shed for years and have never seen a snake. Blue-tongued skinks make up the Australasian genus, Tiliqua, which has some of the largest members of the skink family (Scincidae). I have kept chameleons, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, and many other reptiles. They are shy at first, but overall they're very friendly. Reply . It may also take place when a reptile has eaten large-sized insects or due to too low temperatures. In the wild, they can be found in a wide variety of habitats, including coastal heaths, forests, woodlands, grasslands, and suburban areas. If the humidity and temperature in the tank are not optimal, then the blue tongue skink can suffer from dysecdysis. However, you need to set a routine for it so that you do not have to clean its enclosure every second day. Blue tongue skinks have wide alert eyes to notice all the small movements. Something like aspen, cypress mulch, recycled paper, or even a peat moss/sand mixture. This basking area should be on for about 12 hours a day. There are several varieties of the Blue Tongue Skink, and they all have slightly different appearances. 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. Unfortunately, curved or swollen limbs are pretty common in captive reptiles, resulting from a lack of calcium and/ or Vitamin D3. Normal Blue tongue skink poop is firm, elongated, light to dark brown and odor-free. Ever y blue-tongued skinks, both adults and juveniles, are best kept separately. Its rare for any animal to die so suddenly, there are usually underlying causes for this to happen. As such, they displace wolf spiders and tarantulas and other burrowing spiders in their area to make space for themselves. If the urine has landed on your hands and arms, then there is nothing to worry about. This will help it feel safe and secure. Our mission at Pet Keen is to make the life of you and your pets easier and even more enjoyable. If it does, the first thing is to not panic. Old wives tales about blue tongue skinks are rampant, and all are untrue. The fact that they are ready for a life without their parents right after they are born directly relates to their ability to learn. At this point, you also need to check if their shedding period, brumation, or breeding period is at its peak. Too much humidity can cause respiratory infections and skin issues. It has a stout body and short legs. There is a reduction of weight from the ribs as well. Didn't find what you need? They will prey on a wide variety of small invertebrates and creatures, including worms, snails, beetles, spiders, and various insects. The blue-tongue is really a skink. A: Blue-tongue lizards are a prey species for some snakes, so it is possible that if you have a blue-tongue lizard in your yard there may also be a snake.