Northern Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua scincoides intermedia) Care Sheet

Quick Facts

Behavior

• Generally docile and easy to handle.

• Ground-dwelling; spends time hiding under logs or leaf litter.

• Diurnal; active during the day.

• May display blue tongue when threatened as a defense mechanism.

Enclosure Requirements

• Tank Size: Minimum 120 liters for a single adult; larger preferred

• Substrate: 5–10 cm of aspen shavings, coconut fiber, or soil mix; allows digging

• Decor: Hides, rocks, logs, and branches for enrichment

• Humidity: 40–60%

• Temperature:

  • Basking spot: 32–35°C

  • Ambient: 24–28°C

  • Night: 20–24°C

• Lighting: 10–12 hours of full-spectrum light; UVB recommended

• Ventilation: Moderate airflow

Compatibility

• Can be housed singly or in pairs if space allows; generally non-aggressive.

• Avoid housing with aggressive or much smaller species.

Diet

• Omnivorous; feeds on a variety of foods:

  • Insects: crickets, mealworms, roaches

  • Vegetables: leafy greens, squash, carrots

  • Fruits: berries, mango, apple (small amounts)

• Juveniles: feed daily; adults: 4–5× per week

• Provide fresh water daily

Care Tips

• Offer hiding spots to reduce stress.

• Maintain proper basking temperature for digestion.

• Spot-clean daily; replace substrate periodically.

• Monitor for signs of shedding issues or obesity.

• Provide calcium and vitamin supplementation weekly.

Breeding

• Ovoviviparous; females give live birth to 5–15 young.

• Juveniles are independent at birth and require appropriately sized food.

• Breeding generally requires stable temperatures and a healthy diet.

Visual Quick Guide

• 🏠 Enclosure: ≥120 L, hides, substrate for digging

• 🌡️ Temp: Basking 32–35°C / Ambient 24–28°C / Night 20–24°C

• 💧 Humidity: 40–60%

• 🍴 Diet: Omnivorous (insects, vegetables, fruit)

• 🕒 Activity: Diurnal, ground-dwelling

• ⚠️ Stress: Provide hides; handle gently and regularly to maintain docility

Please note: We don't ship live animals. You can order online and choose click and collect, and we will hold it for you.