How to Keep a Blue Tongue Lizard

Blue tongue lizards, or skinks, are native to Australia and can live 20 years. It is illegal to keep wild reptiles, but captive-bred blue tongue lizards are available at some pet stores or from a reputable breeder. Get your terrarium ready prior to bringing home a new pet lizard. Furnish at least a 55-gallon glass terrarium with a secure screen cover. Blue tongue lizards can mature to 25 to 30 inches long and need plenty of space, as well as time out of the cage.

Things You'll Need

  • Terrarium with cover
  • Substrate
  • Ultraviolet-A light
  • Ultraviolet-B light
  • Timer
  • Shallow bowl
  • Thermometers
  • Heat lamp
  • Hiding accessories
  • Water dish
  • Food
  • Vitamins
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Instructions

    • 1

      Line the bottom of your terrarium with 3 inches of aspen shavings or a substrate sold at pet stores. Do not use sand or crushed walnut shells because ingestion can be fatal. Always keep your lizard's environment dry.

    • 2

      Mount ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B lights as well as a heat lamp inside the cage. Keep all lamps out of the lizard's reach. Read the product directions for safety.

    • 3

      Place two stick-on thermometers on the terrarium glass, close to the bottom. The temperature should stay between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit at one end, and around 72 degrees at the other end.

    • 4

      Connect the lamps to a timer; allow eight hours of darkness and cooler night temperatures. However, never allow the temperature to drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 5

      Provide several places for your blue tongue lizard to hide; leaves, bark or fake foliage work. Avoid keeping your pet lizard's cage near any outside heat sources, including windows. Rooms with excessive noise or vibrations can stress your lizard.

    • 6

      Provide a basking rock directly under the heat source (do not use heat rocks). Place a large, heavy, shallow bowl of water in your blue tongue lizard's terrarium; keep it away from the heat source. Keep it full of fresh water for bathing and drinking.

    • 7

      Feed your lizard a plate of fresh-chopped fruits, vegetables and live insects twice weekly. If you have a baby blue tongue lizard, offer food daily until it is fully grown. Avoid placing food directly on the bedding to avoid ingestion of substrate.

    • 8

      Spot-clean the cage daily. Wash out the water bowl and give fresh water daily. Clean the cage every three weeks and replace the substrate.

    • 9

      Handle your blue tongue lizard frequently; wash your hands before and after holding it. Support your lizard's legs and cradle its body; do not grab its tail or hold it in an unnatural position. Take your lizard outside daily in warm weather; provide a safe and secure outdoor area so it can bask in the natural sunlight.