Blue Tongue Skinks Research Paper
Blue Tongue Skinks. There are approximately 4,675 lizard species in the world (animals.sandiegozoo.org), and 2% of americans alone own lizards. Pet lizards have become quite popular among many, although not quite as loved as furry animal, some of them can be quite docile. Blue Tongue Skinks in particular, make ideal pets for beginning pet owners. Blue tongues require little attention, although before owning them, one should know about what they eat, habitation requirements, and other special needs that they have. Blue tongue skinks originated from Australia, and are part of the scincidae family. They have blue tongues, live for 12-20 years, and can grow from 12 to 16 inches depending on their gender (reptilesmagazine.com). Females grow larger
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than males and are known to have bigger bodies. Blue tongues are much like humans in that they are omnivorous and require a good source of protein, along with a balanced blend of fruits and vegetables. Because a blue tongue is omnivorous (meaning they eat both meat and vegetables), they can be fed a wide variety of meals, from your normal lizard food such as: snails, mice, and crickets, to a more human like diet such as: eggs, collard greens, and chicken. A good and easy source of protein can be canned dog foods, as most provide a mix of meat and vegetables. Each blue tongue has special characteristics that make them an individual, therefore, one blue tongues preference may not be the other's cup of tea. If a Blue Tongue refuses to eat, it may simply because it does not like the food it has been given. Any food that is not eaten by a Blue tongue within 8 hours must be thrown away. Blue tongue skinks are from Australia, therefore they require a more abogornial climate.
A 20 gallon tank should suffice for one Blue Tongue Skink, although, a 50 gallon tank would be ideal. The climate and wattage of the tank should depend of the size of the aquarium. The bulb, one would require is a UVB, and an optional Infrared light bulb to provide heating. If a Blue tongue skink does not get provided the required amount of UVB light, which is 12-14 hours, then it may acquire what is known as “Metabolic bone disease”. Calcium tabs aid in the absorption of UVB light. In order to provide the ideal requirements for the Skink, the bulbs should be focused on one area of the tank, giving the Blue Tongue a warm side of 80 to 100 degrees, and a cool side of 70-80 degrees. Never let a tank drop below 70 degrees. A blue tongue skink like to burrow, and are known burrowers so a substrate of fir bark or cypress mulch would be better than most. Scented substrates such as cedar may be dangerous for Blue tongues, and also, because a Blue Tongue Skinks are known burrowers, then some accessories such as a hollow log would make for a great burrowing spot, although beware of cluttering because as they like to burrow, they also like to roam. Some blue tongues also like to bask in water, so a watering hole is nice to have, although do not make it too deep, because Blue tongues are not known to swim and may drown. Maintaining a clean habitat is always ideal. If a Blue tongue defecates on its
substrate, then it is highly recommended that it is scooped up immediately, or else one may need to clean the tank weekly rather than monthly. Much like most lizards, a blue tongue Skink sheds. A baby skink will shed more than an adult skink because they are still growing. Blue tongues do not need assistance in the shedding process as they will be able to naturally shed by themselves, although they might get some of the shed residue on their toes, it is necessary that these little residues be lifted off, or else it might lead to the loss of a toe or two. In order to prevent the loss of a toe, one may rub the residue of, causing it to just naturally peel away. Loss of a tail may happen when a Blue tongue feels very threatened. It can detach its tail, and grow back another one, although the grown tail will never be as perfect as the original. Never hold a Blue tongue by the tail, and never let a blue tongue skink roam alone outside, because they are not known for their speed, although it is possible to lose them. Blue tongue skinks make great pets and are one of the most popular lizards to own because they require little effort, compared to other pets. They have a long life-span, and are docile creatures, although they do require maintenance like all other animals out there (wolfwood.com.au). It is important to know that failure of maintenance can lead to the death of any animal, and Blue Tongue Skinks are not the exception.
than males and are known to have bigger bodies. Blue tongues are much like humans in that they are omnivorous and require a good source of protein, along with a balanced blend of fruits and vegetables. Because a blue tongue is omnivorous (meaning they eat both meat and vegetables), they can be fed a wide variety of meals, from your normal lizard food such as: snails, mice, and crickets, to a more human like diet such as: eggs, collard greens, and chicken. A good and easy source of protein can be canned dog foods, as most provide a mix of meat and vegetables. Each blue tongue has special characteristics that make them an individual, therefore, one blue tongues preference may not be the other's cup of tea. If a Blue Tongue refuses to eat, it may simply because it does not like the food it has been given. Any food that is not eaten by a Blue tongue within 8 hours must be thrown away. Blue tongue skinks are from Australia, therefore they require a more abogornial climate.
A 20 gallon tank should suffice for one Blue Tongue Skink, although, a 50 gallon tank would be ideal. The climate and wattage of the tank should depend of the size of the aquarium. The bulb, one would require is a UVB, and an optional Infrared light bulb to provide heating. If a Blue tongue skink does not get provided the required amount of UVB light, which is 12-14 hours, then it may acquire what is known as “Metabolic bone disease”. Calcium tabs aid in the absorption of UVB light. In order to provide the ideal requirements for the Skink, the bulbs should be focused on one area of the tank, giving the Blue Tongue a warm side of 80 to 100 degrees, and a cool side of 70-80 degrees. Never let a tank drop below 70 degrees. A blue tongue skink like to burrow, and are known burrowers so a substrate of fir bark or cypress mulch would be better than most. Scented substrates such as cedar may be dangerous for Blue tongues, and also, because a Blue Tongue Skinks are known burrowers, then some accessories such as a hollow log would make for a great burrowing spot, although beware of cluttering because as they like to burrow, they also like to roam. Some blue tongues also like to bask in water, so a watering hole is nice to have, although do not make it too deep, because Blue tongues are not known to swim and may drown. Maintaining a clean habitat is always ideal. If a Blue tongue defecates on its
substrate, then it is highly recommended that it is scooped up immediately, or else one may need to clean the tank weekly rather than monthly. Much like most lizards, a blue tongue Skink sheds. A baby skink will shed more than an adult skink because they are still growing. Blue tongues do not need assistance in the shedding process as they will be able to naturally shed by themselves, although they might get some of the shed residue on their toes, it is necessary that these little residues be lifted off, or else it might lead to the loss of a toe or two. In order to prevent the loss of a toe, one may rub the residue of, causing it to just naturally peel away. Loss of a tail may happen when a Blue tongue feels very threatened. It can detach its tail, and grow back another one, although the grown tail will never be as perfect as the original. Never hold a Blue tongue by the tail, and never let a blue tongue skink roam alone outside, because they are not known for their speed, although it is possible to lose them. Blue tongue skinks make great pets and are one of the most popular lizards to own because they require little effort, compared to other pets. They have a long life-span, and are docile creatures, although they do require maintenance like all other animals out there (wolfwood.com.au). It is important to know that failure of maintenance can lead to the death of any animal, and Blue Tongue Skinks are not the exception.