Scaly friends count too.
Blue-tongued Skink
Tiliqua scincoides
Also called Common bluetongue, Eastern bluetongue, Northern bluetongue, Blue-tongued lizard, Blue tongue skink
From Australia (eastern, southern and northern regions) plus the Tanimbar and Babar Islands of Indonesia. Three subspecies: eastern (T. s. scincoides), northern (T. s. intermedia, the most kept) and Tanimbar (T. s. chimaerea).123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Stout, short-legged skink with a cobalt-blue tongue
A heavy-set lizard with a broad triangular head, a smooth torpedo-shaped body and small legs. Glossy scales carry a banded pattern, and northern animals show yellow or orange patches along the sides. The vivid blue tongue reflects ultraviolet light that people cannot see.143
Personality what they are like
Curious and steady, and the northern subspecies in particular has become very tame through many generations of captive breeding. When startled it puffs up, hisses and flashes its blue tongue as a bluff.31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Diurnal and ground-dwelling; needs a long enclosure to explore and bright 'sunlight' to stay active.45
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Calcium at every meal and a multivitamin weekly for juveniles or twice monthly for adults. Place the enclosure where the skink can watch household life for enrichment.67
Home where they are happiest
At least about 1.1 m2 (12 sq ft) of floor, for example 180 x 60 cm, and 46 cm tall (60 cm if equipment is inside). For T. scincoides: basking 40-46 C (105-115 F), cool side 21-29 C, nights 18-24 C. Northern blue-tongues do well at 40-60% humidity. UVB reaching UVI 3-4 at the basking spot plus bright daylight.75
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Omnivore. Adults eat about 50-60% animal protein (roaches, crickets, earthworms, snails, egg) and 40-50% vegetables, with fruit under 10%. Babies eat daily, juveniles three times a week and adults once or twice a week.61
Company who they like around
Keep one skink per enclosure; they are territorial and do not need company.7
The story where it all began
John White described the species in 1790, making it one of the earliest Australian lizards named by science. It is a familiar garden resident around cities such as Sydney, and its blue tongue and inquisitive nature have made it a popular pet abroad.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- The Reptile Database
- Valid species Tiliqua scincoides (White, 1790) with subspecies scincoides, intermedia and chimaerea2
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Blue-tongued Skink. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Fresh waterevery day
- Temperature checkCheck the warm and cool endsevery day
- Spot cleanevery day
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- SupplementsCalcium and vitamin dusting as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- UVB bulb changeMany UVB bulbs fade before they stop glowing, follow the maker's adviceevery 6 months
- Weigh inevery month
- Full cleanevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Blue-tongued Skink?
Feeding frequency depends on your skink's age. Babies eat daily, juveniles three times a week, and adults once or twice a week. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests adjusting based on your vet's advice.61 Furry Diary plan
What does a Blue-tongued Skink eat, and what should it never eat?
They are omnivores, enjoying a mix of animal protein like roaches and earthworms (50-60% for adults) and vegetables, with fruit under 10%. For foods to avoid, it varies by individual; please ask your exotic-pet vet for a safe list.6
How much space does a Blue-tongued Skink need?
Your skink needs at least 1.1 m² of floor space, such as an enclosure 180 x 60 cm, with a height of 46 cm (60 cm if equipment is inside). This gives them room to explore and stay active.7
What temperature, light or water does a Blue-tongued Skink need?
Provide a basking spot of 40-46°C (105-115°F) and a cool side of 21-29°C, with nights at 18-24°C. They need UVB reaching UVI 3-4 at the basking spot, bright daylight, and for northern blue-tongues, 40-60% humidity. Fresh water should always be available.75
How often should I clean a Blue-tongued Skink's home?
Spot clean daily to remove waste and uneaten food, and do a full enclosure clean every 30 days. Furry Diary's plan also includes a monthly weigh-in and a yearly vet check. Furry Diary plan
Can a Blue-tongued Skink live with others?
No, they are territorial and should be kept one per enclosure. They do not need company and may become stressed or aggressive with another skink.7
How long does a Blue-tongued Skink live?
With good care, they can live between 15 and 35 years, so be ready for a long-term companion. Regular vet visits help ensure a healthy lifespan.14
Can I handle a Blue-tongued Skink?
Yes, they are curious and steady, especially northern subspecies that are very tame through breeding. When startled they may bluff by hissing and flashing their blue tongue, but gentle handling builds trust.31
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Tiliqua scincoides - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, size, lifespan, body, colours, behaviour, diet, reproduction, IUCN, fun facts
- Tiliqua scincoides - The Reptile Database reptile-database.reptarium.czused for taxonomy, subspecies, distribution, names
- Blue Tongue Skink Species and Subspecies - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for northern subspecies size, colours, temperament
- Blue Tongue Skink Care Guide - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for size, lifespan, body, UV tongue
- Blue Tongue Skink Temperature, Humidity and Light - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for temperatures, humidity, lighting
- Blue Tongue Skink Food - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for diet and feeding schedule
- Blue Tongue Skink Enclosure Size - ReptiFiles reptifiles.comused for enclosure size, cohabitation
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.