Skinks belong to the Scincidae family of lizards, which is a subspecies of the Scincomorpha.The skink family of lizards is probably one of the most varied, with more than 1,500 species discovered to date. Blue-tongued skinks are often characterized by comparatively short legs, no noticeable neck, a smooth body, and, most specifically, bright blue tongues (in most types of this species).However, this description might not apply to every species. For example, the red-eyed crocodile skink has a distinctively pronounced head clearly distinguished from its body.These blue-tongued skinks have legs that are almost in proportion to the size of their bodies. Their skull has large bony scales that run in an overlapping pattern across the head. While most species use their legs for the purpose of locomotion, some of this genus have no legs at all.The movement of such skinks resembles that of snakes, and thus some people might easily mistake these creatures as a different reptile altogether. Most skinks, like lizards, have a tail that they can quickly shed from their body if they come in contact with a predator. These tails usually grow in the course of four to five months with consecutive skin shedding cycles. Although most species can regrow their tails, some stumpy tails cannot regenerate.After reading about features of ocellated skinks and other members of species, also check out how long do iguanas live and why do lizards do push-ups?Facts For Kids About Skink PetsIf you have ever seen blue-tongued skinks, you must have observed the reptile as a large cold-blooded species that are generally active during the day. These feed on caterpillars, spiders, snails, and other softshell insects usually considered harmful for plants.As a result, blue-tongued skinks are an all-time favorite amongst gardeners. These animals are considered the ones that can easily be looked after and generally make good pet newcomers and other pet enthusiasts.Blue tongued skinks are comparatively large and can reach up to 24 in (61 cm). These pet reptiles usually tend to live longer than their similar-sized counterparts and usually live for more than 15 years. Well, that is longer than most average pet dogs. These blue-tongued skinks typically live on the ground and generally spend most of their time on the ground itself while seldom heading to the tree branches and rocks in search of food.Their flat body resembles that of a snake. Their nature and temperament are generally calm and docile and can easily be domesticated, making them a perfect beginner’s pet. Also, these blue-tongued skinks are very intelligent and friendly when compared to other species, thus making them excellent lizard pets.Blue-tongued skinks are native to Australia. These distinct reptiles are known for their unique blue tongues, comparatively smaller legs, and unpronounced teeth. However, most skinks are harmless lizards that generally do not attack unless provoked. Despite this fact, there have been several instances of their aggression wherein the reptile, on being startled, bit its owner with its dull yet strong teeth and jaws. Hence it is often advised that children should always be under their parental guidance while handling blue-tongued skinks as their bite could prove extremely agonizing.The lizard is named after its one-off characteristic, its tongue, which it uses for defensive displays. These lizards are among the popular species tamed by reptile enthusiasts. These blue-tongued skinks can be found in various regions like the desert, the grass fields, and even in the open jungles.Here are some of the best types of skinks whom you can adopt as pets:Schneider skinkScientifically known as the Eumeces Scheiderii, the Schneider skink is one the most interesting yet unpopular species of the skink family. The Schneider skink is native to the region of Algeria to India. Their skins are magnificently studded with yellow and orange patches on a fair-colored back. They are generally found in dry and bright enclosures with sufficient hiding spaces and live typically on insects.Blue-tailed skinkThis term is often used to address a variety of skinks as many of the animals of this species have this characteristic (having bright blue tails). These broad-headed reptiles grow larger than most members of the species and grow different patterns of various colors built on their skin. Although one might fall in love with the admirable beauty of these lizards, they are often neglected as pets by many pet keepers due to their tendency to run away from captivity.Red-eyed crocodile skinksScientifically called the Tribolonotus gracilis, the red-eyed crocodile skink is one of this species is most striking and easily recognizable reptiles. With their crocodile-like armored skin, these red-eyed crocodile skinks are generally found in the wet tropical forests of Papua New Guinea.Monkey tailed skinksUnlike most lizards of this species, monkey-tailed skinks are herbivores that are pretty active at night. These skinks live on various tropical fruits along with leaves and other greens.Fire skinkOne of this species’ most vibrantly colored animals, these skinks are commonly found in West Africa. Their skins can have a combination of multiple shades of red, black, brown, gold in the most visibly stunning way possible. Hence, these skinks are often owned by exotic animal lovers.Care For A Skink PetThe adult blue tongued skinks generally have a length of approximately 2 ft (0.6 m). These species live on various food supplies, both plant-based and animal-based, including multiple types of fruits and veggies, animal-based products like meat and eggs, other smaller animals like rats, frogs, and lastly, insects. These blue-tongued skinks generally require a warm and comfortable environment for their sustainability.According to some exotic animal vets, blue-tongued skinks should be kept in a 50-gallon tank secured with a lid to ensure proper enclosure. The base of such an apparatus could be littered with wood shavings, dried hay, or even mushed newspapers to provide insulation and to maintain comfortable temperatures within the tank. However, it should be ensured that the reptile does not consume these objects as it could have health-related consequences for blue-tongued skinks.These lizards often like to bathe in water to maintain body temperatures. Hence, it must be ensured that the pet has access to such a source that should be regularly cleaned as the lizard might end up defecating. Blue-tongued skinks spend most of their time on the ground and rarely climb beaches. Hence they do not require such a façade in their vicinity. They do require good hiding spots, which that be ensured by placing rocks, wood, or even bits of reasonably sized pipes in the tank which, should be fixed to their places in a sturdy manner so that they don’t fall over the lizard. Pet owners should also ensure reasonable humidity levels in the tank, which helps the animal shed its skin.These blue-tongued skinks have their bodies accustomed to the mean temperatures of the Australian subcontinent. As a result, their tanks should be warm enough with an average temperature of 80.6 F (27 C). Like all reptiles, these blue-tongued skinks are also cold-blooded and require basking (lying exposed in the sun) to maintain their body heat. Hence it is often recommended for pet owners to ensure under-tank heating and installation of a basking light on one corner of the apparatus. The owners can provide reasonable temperature levels in different tank sections using a thermometer. At night, temperatures should be maintained at around 69.8 F (21 C)to prevent health-related issues with your blue-tongued skinks.Are skinks as pets healthy?The blue-tongued skink is a big diurnal lizard with a voracious appetite for slugs and snails, making it a popular pet among Australian gardeners. Skinks are low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for lizards that make excellent pets for youngsters and beginners, as long as owners are aware of their size compared to other pet lizards.The genera Cyclodomorphus and Hemisphaeriodon are closely related to blue-tongued skinks. Except for Tiliqua gigas, found in New Guinea and numerous Indonesian islands, all skink species are found on mainland Australia. Tiliqua scincoides has a subspecies that lives on multiple small Indonesian islands between Australia and New Guinea, unlike the other few species. The sole skink species found in Tasmania is Tiliqua nigrolutea. Most skink species are diurnal, ground-feeding omnivores that eat insects, gastropods, flowers, fruits, and berries.The pygmy blue tongue skink, primarily an ambush predator on terrestrial arthropods, is an exception. The eastern and northern blue tongues are viviparous, with litter sizes ranging from one to four for the pygmy blue-tongued and shingle back skinks to 5-24 for the eastern and northern blue tongue skinks. Blue-tongued skinks are native to Australia. These distinct reptiles are known for their unique blue tongues, comparatively smaller legs, and unpronounced teeth. Choose the appropriate tank for your skink. When it comes to a skink’s tank, bigger is better.Skinks require a lot of ample space to be healthy and happy. A 10-20 gal (37.9-75.7 l) tank is suitable for hatchlings. Ensure the tank is at least 30-40 gal (113.6-151.4 l) if you have a larger skink. It’s always wonderful for a skink to have an extra place to roam if you have the space or money for a larger tank. Make sure your pet skink has plenty of room to explore and hide in their tank. Provide the pet skink with a diet rich in the nutrients it requires to grow. When engaging with your skink, be cautious.Pet skinks are gregarious creatures. They make good pets. You need to make sure they don’t have any health issues. You can even get them at a pet trade. Even reptiles can be good pets. Just like blue-tongued skinks, the Schneider’s skinks make good pets too. Schneider’s skink is a reptile similar to the blue-tongued skink. Schneider skinks are easy to take care of as compared to other skinks. Skinks shed their skins. During this time, they stop eating. Skinks in the wild need live prey. Other skinks are similar too. They only tend to eat leafy greens when they shed their skin.Diet For A Skink PetGetting blue-tongued skinks as your pet can be pretty economical as their cost is relatively economical, ranging from $150-$1500.But we advise you not to be mistaken by this fact as taking care of blue-tongued skinks is not an easy task. Blue-tongued skinks are an omnivores species. Hence, this character should be taken care of while providing them with nutrition. A nutritious mixed meal with proportionate quantities of essential supplements like calcium and vitamin D can help keep blue-tongued skinks from developing health complications and other illnesses.The advisable balance is a diet of 60% plant-based and 40% animal-based diet to achieve this motive. Blue-tongued skinks can be fed with green beans, strawberries, bananas, melons, low-fat cat food, worms, and baby mice. While giving them animal-based food sources, one must ensure that the reptile does not overdose on protein as it may damage its kidneys.If you ever come across an owner of blue-tongued skinks, the first thing they will tell you is the never-ending struggle against skin problems. It is very typical to see a skink not being able to shed its skin correctly, which is generally due to some underlying health anomalies. More dominantly, skinks in captivity can suffer from metabolic bone diseases. This occurs due to an imbalance in the phosphorus and calcium ratios in the body, mainly due to the reptile’s inability to get proper UV lighting or poor nutrition. Vitamin A deficiency is also a significant concern for pet owners of blue-tongued skinks.Precaution From Skink PetsBlue-tongued skinks are non poisonous reptiles and pose no possible threat to humans or other big animals. These blue-tongued skinks usually have calm and composed behavior. But, even though these cute reptiles might appear harmless, blue-tongued skinks can bite if they sense danger.But you don’t have to worry about the painful bite as the skink will warn you multiple times before it attacks by hissing and showing its blue-colored tongue. These lizards are slow and have a non-aggressive nature. As predators, these skinks have to hunt for small insects and vertebrates that live on the ground. As a result, these blue-tongued skinks don’t have any potential weapon that they could use to would a human or a big animal.But there’s an exception to this. The jaws of blue-tongued skinks are strong enough to crush the shells of the snails, and hence if the reptile ever feels threatened, there are plentiful chances that it can attack and bite the one who provoked it.It is fairly easy to get a blue-tongued skink as your pet in Australia or New Guinea. But we have a few tips that you might want to know if you, too, are considering a blue-tongued skink as your new family member. Firstly, it is always recommended to buy the reptile from a recognized breeder who generally is known to provide and keep a record of the animal’s health history.Secondly, one must make sure that the lizard has clear eyes and skin without any dry patches over it. It is often recommended to watch the animal eat before you purchase it, as it would indicate the lizard’s healthy diet.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for skink pets, then why not take a look at what do lizards eat, or are iguanas dangerous?
Skinks belong to the Scincidae family of lizards, which is a subspecies of the Scincomorpha.
