I'm looking into getting a Blue Tongue Skink so I've started doing research and would appreciate an opinion or two on a couple of things:

How big an enclosure does an adult need. Blue Tongue Skink.net suggested 36 x 18 but this seems a bit small to me.

Do they require uv light?

Are they high maintenance or easy enough to care for (easy as far as herps go that is). I have two leopard geckos and want to know if a Blue Tongue Skink would require much more care than them?

Thanks, Ed

I'm not sure if it will answer all of your questions but there seems to be a thread in progress about the size of Blue Tongue Skink enclosures here. Mmaybe it'll give you an idea on size.

http://www.herpcenter.com/skinks/176...luey-tank.html

I believe they need alot of floor space.

I don't think they require a uv light but I could be wrong.

__________________
Professional Pet Sitting/Dog Walking
http://niksscalesandtails.com/



yes i am a she ^_^

~My Babies~

1 Rosy Boa (male) Chaos
1 Snow Corn (male) Blizzard
1 Anertherystic Corn (male) Bullet
1 Senegal Parrot (male) Shadow
2 dogs (male) Spot (RIP) and Bear

Just so that you know that is my thread and I am going a bit over kill on the size but I want my Blue Tongue Skink to be spoiled. If I'm making the enclosure my self I might as well go the whole 9 yards yah know.

They don't need uv light like an iguana does but like any animal that doesn't need it it's always personal preference if you wanna fork out another 70 bucks or so. If you take them out and let them play in the sun then you won't have to worry at all, even if you didn't they would be okay. Correct me anybody if I'm wrong.

I wish I could give you some more info on them but I'm won't have him for another three months or so. Don't you fret, you'll get help very soon.

__________________
Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.

We have had our Blue Tongue Skink for the past 7 years and we love him. He is very affectionate. I started out with a 40 gallon tank when he was smaller, but for the past 4-5 years since he's been full grown, he's been in a 50 gallon tank. I originally had him on reptile carpet, but he kept burying himself under it and knocking over the water, so I finally bedded him in coconut chips and he loves burying himself. He comes up for attention or when he gets hungry. I don't think he's more work than my other reptiles, but he has more of a personality. I do believe in the UVA/UVB lighting foir calcium absorption. In Chicago, he can only get outside about 4-5 months per year. I don't want any bone problems. He eats in summer 3-5 times per week and in winter once a week. The biggest problem when he is out of his cage, you have to constantly watch him, because he can squeeze under almost anything-the stove, fridge, etc. We built an outdoor cage and he goes outside in summer during the day if it's over 75 degrees. I love Blue Tongue Skink' and would get another one when Blue is no longer with us. But as with any reptile, you have to handle him every day so he's used to people. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks janmccri,
Could you maybe give the tank size in inches. We don't use gallons here so I don't really know what size you're talking about.
I've decided to get one a build my own tank was thinking about 4 foot by 2 foot and about 18 inches tall?

Here are your dimensions
50gal=190liters, 36 x 18 x 18inches, or 92½ x 46 x 46 centimeters.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks Merlin

So did you get the bt skink yet?

No not quite yet......
I was going to build a tank but I've been offered a four foot one for a good price so I'm going to collect that in the next week or two and then I can go get the little guy!!
I can't wait and don't worry there will be pics when I get him!!

__________________

Who are you getting him from?

__________________
Gerp, Gerp, Gerp.