Blue-tongued skink

Obesity

SignsLoss of the neck and armpit creases, thick tail base, sluggish movement with labored breathing, belly dragging

PreventionFeed adults 2–3 times a week and limit fatty foods. Record weight once a month

Metabolic bone disease

SignsSoft, deformed jaw, trembling limbs, curved spine, inability to walk, easy fractures

PreventionDust food with calcium powder and provide UVB lighting. Replace the bulb every six months

Retained shed (dysecdysis)

SignsRings of old skin left on toes, tail tip or ear openings; toe tips turning black and thin

PreventionMaintain humidity and keep a wet hide available at all times. Check toes and tail tip after every shed

Respiratory infection

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, mucus from nose or mouth, audible breathing sounds, staying still with the head held up

PreventionAvoid low temperatures and high humidity; keep a temperature gradient. Ensure cage ventilation. See a vet early

Mite infestation

SignsTiny black or red dots between scales and around the ears and eyes, rubbing the body, lethargy

PreventionQuarantine new animals in a separate room. Replace substrate regularly; if mites are found, see a vet for treatment

Mouth rot (stomatitis)

SignsSwelling around the mouth, mouth will not close, yellow cheesy debris on the gums, loss of appetite

PreventionPrevent the mouth from striking hard food dishes or walls. Maintain immunity through temperature control and hygiene

Ingestion of substrate or foreign objects

PreventionAvoid fine sand and gravel. Feed from a dish; do not place food directly on the substrate

First aidDo not try to induce vomiting. Watch for stool and abdominal swelling; see a vet the same day if appetite drops or the abdomen swells

Fracture from a fall

PreventionAlways support the whole body with both hands when holding. Never let go in high places or at the edge of a desk

First aidDo not touch the injured limb; move to a low container, keep still and warm. See a vet the same day if there is swelling or deformity

Burns

PreventionSet up so the animal cannot touch heat bulbs or hot rocks directly. Always use a thermostat

First aidCool the area with room-temperature water for 5 minutes, apply no ointment, and cover with clean paper. See a vet the same day for blisters or peeling skin

Bite from a cagemate

PreventionKeep strictly solitary. Do not leave food scent on your hands at feeding; use tongs

First aidRinse under running water and apply pressure with clean gauze. See a vet immediately if bleeding will not stop or a toe tip is lost

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from feces, skin surface or cage equipment

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling. Do not wash the cage in the kitchen. Young children and the elderly should limit contact

Mite dermatitis

RouteMites on the animal bite human skin

PreventionQuarantine new animals. If found, see a vet and disinfect the cage with boiling water

Bacterial infection of bite wounds

RouteBacteria entering through a bite wound

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water and disinfect. See a doctor if there is swelling or heat

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from hands or tools contaminated with feces

PreventionWash hands after cleaning the cage. Do not care for the animal where food is handled

Food

• Adults 2–3 times a week, juveniles daily. Omnivorous: insects, vegetables and fruit
• Guideline: 50% vegetables and greens, 40% animal protein, 10% fruit
• Dust food with calcium powder. Limit fatty foods and dog food

Water

• Keep a shallow dish the animal can soak in and change the water daily
• Keep the dish rim low; mist to supplement in dry conditions

Toys & play

• An environment where it can dig and explore leaf litter and substrate
• Tong feeding that makes it chase food to increase activity
• Cork bark and rocks for climbing up and down

Nest, bed & hideout

• One hide large enough for the whole body on the warm side and one on the cool side
• A wet hide with damp sphagnum moss, available at all times

Bedding & litter

• Deep hardwood chips or coconut fiber for burrowing
• Avoid fine sand and gravel, which cause ingestion
• Remove feces daily; replace fully and wash once a month

Cage / housing material

Glass or wooden front-opening enclosure. One that balances ventilation and heat retention

Size & space

At least 90 cm wide x 45 cm deep; 120 cm or wider is ideal for adults

Layout

• Basking spot and heating on one side, the other side cool
• One hide on the warm side and one on the cool side
• Water dish on the cool side. UVB light positioned to reach the body

Placement notes

• Avoid direct sunlight and window sills, where temperature changes suddenly
• Place where air-conditioner drafts or cold floor air do not hit directly

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Gets enough exercise in the cage. Free-roaming time is about 30 minutes; never look away
• It will get into floor gaps and under furniture, so block these first
• After roaming, watch for a drop in body temperature; return to the cage and warm up

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureWarm side 30–33°C, cool side 24–26°C, basking 35–38°C, nights 22°C or above

Humidity40–60% (slightly lower for Northern blue-tongues). Local high humidity via a wet hide

Summer & winter

• In summer, use air conditioning so the room does not exceed 35°C. Ensure ventilation
• In winter, run the heat bulb and heat mat on a thermostat. Prepare for power outages

Nail trimming

Worn down naturally on rough rocks and driftwood. If overgrown, trim only the tips with reptile nail clippers, or at the vet

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. During shedding, raise humidity with lukewarm baths and misting; check toes, tail tip and ears for retained skin

Other care

Check for dirt around the mouth. Lukewarm bath once a week, 28–30°C for about 10 minutes. Watch for retained shed in the ear openings

Protection from predators

• Never let it loose in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets. Always lock the cage lid
• During free roaming, never take it outdoors where crows or birds of prey are present
• Do not use outdoor leaf litter or soil, to avoid bringing in mites

Foreign-body ingestion

Easily swallows fine substrate, pebbles and sand along with food. Feed from a dish; see a vet the same day if the abdomen swells or stools stop

Being stepped on

It burrows into substrate and can be stepped on unnoticed. Watch your feet during free roaming and confirm its position before working inside the cage

Getting pinched

Toes and tail are easily caught in front-opening doors or lids. Check its position before closing. If pinched, check for swelling or bleeding and see a vet

Falls

A fall from a desk or lap causes fractures or internal injuries. Support the whole body with both hands and always handle low. See a vet the same day after a fall

Escape

Strong enough to push up a lid. Always lock the cage. If it escapes, close off the room and search under furniture, behind warm appliances and inside bedding

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Most let go on their own within seconds to tens of seconds
2. Lower it onto the cage floor or ground and support its body to reassure it
3. If it will not let go, trickle lukewarm water onto its mouth
4. If it still holds on, gently pry the corner of the mouth open with a flat object

After the release

Rinse the wound under running water and disinfect. See a doctor for deep wounds, swelling or bleeding that will not stop. Check the skink's mouth too

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Cage temperature, humidity, substrate, diet and feeding frequency, weight, shed and defecation dates. Photos of feces and substrate. The food packaging

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Prod it and check for a response or tongue flick. When cold it moves sluggishly and may look lifeless
• Check breathing by chest or throat movement. At rest, about 5–15 breaths per minute
• Heartbeat is hard to feel through the chest. Prioritize response and breathing and see a vet

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5+ minutes. Do not keep lifting it to check
• For bleeding from nails or tail tip, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it will not stop or blood loss is heavy, see a vet immediately while maintaining pressure

Transport

• Place in a plastic carrier lined with cloth, with a hand warmer wrapped in a towel against the side
• Keep dark and quiet. Do not shake; in summer beware of heat inside the car