This is a specific care sheet for Western Blue Tongue Skinks (Tiliqua occipitalis), for more in this genus see Category:Tiliqua.
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Western Blue Tongued Skink: This is a short tailed, compact species reaching lengths of about 20 inches. They are generally reddish brown with lighter tan cross banding and a tan belly. This species is also omnivorous and likes various berries, spiders and other insects and arthropods. The Western Blue Tongued Skink can generally be found in New South Wales, North Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and West Australia.
| Pet Reptile (Tiliqua occipitalis) Care Information | |
| Regions Found: | Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania |
| Natural habitat: | |
| Longevity: | Up to 20 years |
| Years to Maturity: | |
| Adult Size: | 8 to 24 inches |
| Temperament: | |
| Housing, Feeding and Climate of Tiliqua occipitalis | |
| Housing Size: | |
| Reptile Foods: | |
| Temperature: | 75-85F with basking spot of 90F |
| Humidity: | |
| Reptile Lighting: | Require full-spectrum UVB light |
| Special Requirements: | |
| Breeding Tiliqua occipitalis | |
| Breeding Difficulty: | |
| Tiliqua occipitalis Clutch Size: |
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| Gestation Period: | |
| Incubation Temperature: | |
| Incubation Humidity: | |
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| Health | |
| Any serious health issues | |
| Recommended Pet Supplies for Tiliqua occipitalis | |
nb. All of these can be purchased from an online pet store |
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Contents
Housing Requirements
Most hatchlings can be kept in a 10-gallon aquarium. Full sized adult blue-tongue skinks should be kept in 40 to 55-gallon aquariums or similar enclosures,Wood shavings (avoid cedar or pine as these may cause long term health issues), newspaper or indoor/outdoor carpeting can all be used as substrates.
Most blue-tongued skinks available in the pet trade are ground dwellers and do not require many rocks or branches for climbing.
Light/Heating Requirements
A temperature gradient of 75 – 85°F should be established with a basking area of 90 – 95°F during the day. Temperatures should not fall below 70°F at night. Temperatures can be maintained with basking bulbs, infrared heat bulbs, and ceramic emitters or under tank heaters and panels. Hot rocks should never be used due to the high risk of burns that can be inflicted on the blue-tongue skink from malfunctioning heat rocks. As with most diurnal species full spectrum light is required. This can be achieved by using special fluorescent bulbs or newer Active UV bulbs. Active UV bulbs also provide heat which may allow you to not have to provide additional heat sources.
Food Requirements
Most blue-tongue skinks are omnivorous (eating both plant and animal matter). Generally a diet consisting of 60% plant and 40% animal will provide a healthy mix for your blue-tongue skink. Frozen mixed vegetables,various greens, small amounts of high quality dog food, crickets, mealworms, and thawed pre-killed frozen mice can all be fed to your skink.
Water/Humidity Requirements
A hide box should be provided for the animal as well as a portion of the enclosure maintained with slightly damp substrate such as sphagnum moss to provide a humidity chamber to help with shedding. Fresh water should be provided daily.