- Blue tongue skinks need to eat 40-45% protein – bugs mainly, and some meat, dog/cat food. Please remember that live bugs have to be gut-loaded (read below).
- 50% – veggies and greens
- 5-10% fruit
- For baby and juvenile blue tongue skinks of up to 5 months old – offer 50% protein, 40-45% veggies and greens, and 5-10% fruit
- Shingleback skinks ( Tiliqua rugosa) – will need to eat less protein – around 30%. They also tend to be hungrier, so feed adults 2 times a week.
What do Blue Tongue Lizards eat?
Blue-tongued lizards are omnivores. Garden snails are their ideal food, but they will also enjoy most varieties of fruits and veggies. For a treat, feed them crickets and mice which you can buy at your local Petbarn store. Blue-tongues usually eat from late morning through to midday after getting some sun.
How much to feed a blue tongue skink?
Blue tongue skinks don’t need to eat much at all, but offer babies (under 3 months old) as much as they can eat, 2-3 times a day, 6 days a week. In general, adult blue tongue skink’s portion size should be 1-2 tablespoons of food. What is the best time to feed a blue tongue skink?
What to do when baby blue tongue skinks are born?
Once baby blue tongue skinks are born, you need to house them separately from their mother and let her start eating properly again and gain any weight that she has lost over the months. She also needs to replenish her nutrients, so make sure to continue feeding nutritious foods.
Do blue tongue skink lizards need calcium?
Otherwise, it will start rotting and smelling. Calcium is one of the main minerals that your blue tongue skink needs. To maintain optimal levels of calcium in your skink lizard’s body, you should make sure that it doesn’t eat foods with high phosphorus levels.
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What can I feed my baby blue tongue lizard?
They will eat a range of chopped fruits and vegetables including dandelion, milk thistle, watercress, banana, apple, pawpaw, pear, green beans, carrots, alfafa sprouts, parsley and tomato. In addition, small amounts of moistened dog kibble and canned dog food may be given occasionally.
What do newborn skinks eat?
0:348:46Feeding Baby/Young Skinks - Ep. 52 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUnder a year old another food product is reap a she's blue blue a buffet which also is a highMoreUnder a year old another food product is reap a she's blue blue a buffet which also is a high protein content. And is good for young omnivores. So I feed cat food on a rotation.
Can blue tongue skinks have baby food?
Yes, your blue tongue skink can eat cat food, but dog food is more suitable. Cat foods are often higher in protein than dog foods. You can offer cat food to baby skinks under 5 months, sick and skinny skinks.
How do you raise a baby blue tongue skink?
0:433:51BABY BLUE TONGUE SKINK DIET - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd what I do with this is I chop it up a little dish for them I give it to them every second orMoreAnd what I do with this is I chop it up a little dish for them I give it to them every second or third day. This helps them really put on the mass. And get growing real quick.
What can you feed baby skinks?
As juveniles, half of their diet should come from insects, whereas adults should eat proportionately more plant matter. Adult, Blue-tongued skinks can be fed every one to two days, while juveniles can be fed daily. The bulk of the diet (45-60%) should consist of greens.
How much should a baby blue tongue eat?
It's fine to leave food in their enclosure for them to eat over the course of the day, but if left unfinished it's best to throw it out after a day. Baby lizards should be fed five times a week (once to twice per day) and once a full-grown adult, only two to three times a week.
How often should I feed my baby blue tongue skink?
Baby skinks under 5 months old will need to eat every day with one day of fasting. Offer as much food as a baby will eat two to three times per day to encourage proper growth and nutrition.
What do baby lizards eat?
Baby garden lizards usually eat insects and only a few fruits and vegetables. Flightless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, and bottle fly spikes are the best insects for baby lizards. Baby lizards are growing faster than adults and need to eat more often.
What do baby blue tailed skinks eat?
You can feed them live crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Sprinkle food with calcium daily and use a mineral supplement once or twice a week, according to Pet Depot. Pet Ponder says to feed a baby skink ants, worms, centipedes, and flies.
How do you take care of a baby's blue tongue?
Blue Tongue Care Blue-tongues require a basking spot maintained between 30-35˚C. They should have access to an elevated piece of flat timber or rock ornament to allow them to bask closer to the heat source. The cool end of the enclosure should be maintained between 24-26˚C and should not drop below 18-21˚C at night.
How long can a blue tongue skink go without food?
A blue tongue skink can go weeks without eating – blue tongue skinks during brumation can go up to 3 months without food. However, this is not recommended outside brumation – babies will not survive for too long because they don't have as much internal fat storage as adults.
How long can skinks go without food?
A blue tongue skink can go weeks without eating – blue tongue skinks during brumation can go up to 3 months without food. However, this is not recommended outside brumation – babies will not survive for too long because they don't have as much internal fat storage as adults.
Do skinks take care of their babies?
Prehensile-tailed skinks exhibit the most extreme example of parental care among lizards. These large, nocturnal lizards give birth to live young. Baby prehensile-tailed skinks remain with their parents for a period of six months to one year following their birth.
Can you keep a wild skink as a pet?
Skinks are medium-sized reptiles many enjoy keeping as pets. A skink can be an excellent pet with proper care. Make sure your skink has a comfortable tank with plenty of space to roam and hide. Provide a diet rich in the nutrients a skink needs to thrive.
What do baby blue tailed skinks eat?
You can feed them live crickets, mealworms, and waxworms. Sprinkle food with calcium daily and use a mineral supplement once or twice a week, according to Pet Depot. Pet Ponder says to feed a baby skink ants, worms, centipedes, and flies.
What temperature should a petbarn be?
The cool end of your enclosure must sit between 24–28°C and have a basking spot that’s between 30–35°C. Visit your local Petbarn to find the right UVB lighting and heating sources.
What do blue tongued lizards eat?
Blue-tongued lizards are omnivores. Garden snails are their ideal food, but they will also enjoy most varieties of fruits and veggies. For a treat, feed them crickets and mice which you can buy at your local Petbarn store. Blue-tongues usually eat from late morning through to midday after getting some sun.
How to house a lizard in a plastic tub?
Use a glass aquarium, wooden box or plastic tub to house your lizard and consider their adult size. Talk to your local Petbarn team member about what size enclosure is sufficient. Use sand, gravel, or newspaper to create a suitable substrate. Keep branches low to the ground and stable.
How to choose a lizard?
When choosing your new lizard it’s important to ensure they’re fit and healthy. Healthy blue-tongues should be active and alert, responding to movements with their tongue or head. Make sure their nostrils and eyes are clear, there is no sign of excessive pieces of skin from shedding and their scales are free from abrasions, swelling or scarring.
What does it mean when a lizard's faeces are runny?
It’s crucial you check your lizard’s faeces as well. Runny, discoloured or especially pungent faeces could mean your lizard has an internal parasite.
Why are my blue tongues moody?
When their skin begins to appear dull and starts to crack it is best to leave them be; blue-tongues can be moody when they shed. Blue-tongues will also enter a process called brumation. Brumation is the equivalent of hibernation and is a natural process your lizard will go through to avoid cool conditions.
How long do lizards stay dormant?
While the temperature of their enclosure will be monitored and they may not necessarily be exposed to cold conditions, your lizard may still enter a dormant state for up to four months. They will not engage in normal activities, like eating or basking, and will generally recoil into a dark spot to sleep.
How To Feed A Baby Skink?
Knowing what do baby skinks eat is as important as knowing how to feed them safely. The best way to feed your baby Blue tongue skink is until they are full and then immediately remove any leftovers.
What do baby blue skinks eat?
What’s important to remember is that baby blue skink diet should be made of 70% protein and 20% vegetables and 10% fruit.
What do skinks eat?
The list of what do baby skinks eat in terms of vegetables and greens include: dandelion, milk thistle, watercress, green beans, carrots, alfafa sprouts.
What is the diet of a blue tongue skink?
These reptiles are omnivorous with a varied diet of animal protein, vegetables and greens; and the occasional fruit.
What happens if a baby blue tongue lizard is too cold?
If the tank temperature is too cold, not only will your baby blue tongue lizard not have appetite, but they will also struggle to digest their food.
What do blue tongue lizards eat?
In terms of what to baby skinks eat, their diet should be 70% protein, 20% vegetables and 10% fruit. Baby skinks need more protein than adults.
What is the best food for skinks?
There are two options for your baby skink diet – commercial cat food and then dog food or homemade diet.
What foods bind iodine?
Before starting, let’s discuss few terms: Goitrogenic: foods high in goitrogens will bind iodine and cause thyroid issue long-term. Oxalic foods: foods high in oxalates that bind calcium and remove it from the body, long-term causing calcium deficiencies. Foods high in phosphorus also bind calcium, leading to deficiencies long-term.
What insects are good for blue tongue skinks?
Insects such as hornworms, Phoenix worms, crickets, silkworms and others should be the main source of protein for blue tongue skinks. All insects must be bought for reptile consumption and gut-loaded for 24 hours (apart from Phoenix worms) before feeding to your skink.
Can skinks eat mice?
Yes, your blue tongue skink can eat mice, but only once or twice a month as a treat. This is because they are hard to digest and fatty. Only offer pinky (also called neonate or fuzzy) mice or rats, and preferably only to skinny skinks.
Can you skink blue tongue hay?
It would not be advisable to offer blue tongue skink any hay (orchard, timothy etc.). Alfalfa hay is actually a legume. While hay is high in protein, it’s also dehydrated. This can cause issues with digestion, and might expand in guts or mouth and cause impaction.
Can blue tongue skinks eat butternut squash?
Yes , blue tongue skinks can eat butternut squash. Butternut squash is actually on of the staple foods for blue tongue skinks. Offer raw and grated or chopped into small pieces.
Can skinks eat blueberries?
Yes, blue tongue skinks can eat blueberries, but only occasionally. This is because blueberries are high in oxalates.
Can you feed a blue tongue skink?
Yes, you can feed your blue tongue skink peeled grapes, but very rarely. Grapes and raisins are however believed to cause organ damage in reptiles, so you might avoid them altogether.
How to house a blue tongue skink?
Do not include too many accessories, but do have hides with some paper or aspen for burrowing.
When to let blue tongue skinks brumate?
If you truly want to succeed at blue tongue skink breeding, you need to let them brumate during winter, for around 2-3 months. In Northern Hemisphere countries such as USA, Canada and European countries – it will be within mid November-February.
When do blue tongue skinks reach sexual maturity?
Male blue tongue skinks reach sexual maturity at around 12-14 months of age, while females – at around 24 months old. How fast they reach sexual maturity will also depend on living conditions and general husbandry.
How long do blue tongue skinks stay pregnant?
As mentioned in the beginning, blue tongue skinks are pregnant for about 3-4 months (less commonly 5 months) before giving birth. Make sure to feed your gravid blue tongue skink properly and supplement all her food. Sprinkle calcium on her food 2-3 times a week and multivitamin – 1-2 times a week.
How long does it take for blue tongue skinks to come out of brumation?
Let your blue tongue skinks come out of brumation for around 2-4 weeks, to start eating and warming up properly, before you decide to introduce them for breeding.
How old do blue tongue skinks have to be to breed?
Blue tongue skinks must be at least 24 months old (females) to start breeding. Male blue tongue skinks should be at least 14-15 months old to be able to start breeding.
When is blue tongue skink breeding season?
When blue tongue skink breeding season starts will depend on where you live – in Northern Hemisphere (USA, Canada, Europe etc.) it is around March-April. In Southern Hemisphere (Australia, most of South America and southern countries in Africa) – it’s around September-November.
