You have probably thought about getting a blue tongue skink. And now, you are contemplating whether or not it’s a suitable pet for you. Well, the good news is that most blue tongue skinks make good pets, but it has to be right for you. In this post, we will discuss everything that you need to know before buying or even adopting a blue tongue skink. You will also find pros and cons of blue tongue skinks as pets to make an informed decision when getting one. You can even read the facts post first, where you can find interesting facts on skinks, their species and subspecies.
Are blue tongue skinks good pets?
Pros of blue tongue skinks as pets:
Blue tongue skinks are smart and inquisitive – they are one of the most intelligent pet lizards.
They are omnivores and can eat different types of food, which makes it easier to feed them. Blue tongue skinks are calm and docile and you can definitely tame them.
They are good for both beginners and advanced keepers – because they are docile and not aggressive, but not as common as many other pet lizards. They don’t eat too much – especially during the cooling period in winter.
Blue tongue skinks won’t cause any allergies because they have no fur.
They are not venomous or poisonous. Blue tongue skinks are quiet and calm – they won’t destroy accessories because they can’t climb. It lives for many years – around 10-20, and is likely to become your good companion. Blue tongue skinks don’t need much interaction – few times a week to tame it is enough.
They don’t need to have another blue tongue companion – they are solitary, territorial lizards and will enjoy living on their own. You can create a bond with your blue tongue skink – they can recognize people. This is unusual, because most reptiles don’t have any bond with the owners. Docile blue tongues are tolerant of handling, too.
Blue tongue skinks are amazing with children – they are calm, docile and slow. This means there is a little chance they will bite or run away. They need little maintenance and are not expensive to keep, but you will need to do it for 15-20 years.
Cons of blue tongue skinks as pets
Even though their long lifespan is a positive thing, many people can’t commit to care for a skink for 15-20+ years. This is why most children and young people are unsuitable.
Blue tongue skink will require quite a big terrarium – a single skink will need a minimum 40 gallon tank.
You will need to house each blue tongue skink separately – they become territorial.
Blue tongue skink’s enclosure needs regular cleaning to prevent diseases.
You will need to find a captive bred blue tongue. But it’s not impossible to find one for sale. They will often cost 100-300$, but rare species can cost more. Don’t forget that you can find many healthy blue tongues in shelters for free. All is because owners couldn’t take care of them anymore.
So, after you have read all the pros and cons of blue tongue skinks, you need to decide if it’s right for you.
Answer these questions before deciding to get a blue tongue skink:
Can you take care of it for 15-20 years? If you are a parent and your young child or even a teenager wants a blue tongue skink, it might not be the best idea. Young people will often leave parents’ house, go on to study and create families in the span of 15-20 years. Make sure that you as a parent, will have the opportunity and wish to take care of a blue tongue if your child doesn’t want it anymore.
Do you have funds to buy a skink and its accessories? The good thing is, buying accessories is mainly a one time thing. But do think about possible vet bills, money on some food and occasional accessories (such as new bulbs and substrate every 5-6 months).
Are you ready to spend some time every week cleaning its tank, handling it, feeding it and examining it for any abnormalities? Do you have someone that can look after it when you go away for holidays?
Do you have the space in your house for a minimum 40 gallon tank for a single blue tongue skink?
Are all family members happy with you getting a blue tongue skink?
Is it legal to keep a blue tongue skink in your state? Some states have regulations on keeping certain reptiles. Buying, transporting and keeping wild caught reptiles can be illegal.
If you are satisfied with the pros and cons, and answered yes to all questions, you might consider getting a blue tongue skink. To buy or adopt a blue tongue skink, you will need to be very cautious and ask many questions.
There are many ignorant and untrustworthy sellers that might know little or lie about the skink and its past. In the next post, you can learn how to find good sellers, examine the skink and its environment, which questions to ask when buying or adopting and much more.