Blue Tongue Skinks

Blog #5 (Blue Tongue Skinks)

1. Blue Tongue Skink Care Sheet by Phil Goss

2. Reptiles Magazine Online, March 2014

3. I chose this article because I haven't done a big lizard blog yet. 

4. I liked how the author of the article thoroughly addressed the care of a blue tongued skink. They are big lizards that should be kept alone because they like to fight. I also liked that he included that they have a very hardy diet. He also listed all the different food Skins can consume. It's a long list of fruits and vegetables.

5. I learned that skins are available seasonally around July- August. They also need specific temperatures to help with their thermoregulation. This helps them maintain temperature, absorb vitamins and remain healthy. They also have a very wide diet range and like a lot of fruits.

6. Why are skinks tongues blue?

7a. No, I don't want that big of a lizard. Plus, I feel like they'd be kinda stinky and agressive.

b. Skinks are in between $150-5,000 (if you want a rare skink)

c. They can be purchased at http://www.backwaterreptiles.com/skinks/blue-tongue-skink-for-sale.html for $160 and at http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/content.jsp?pageName=blue_tongue_skink for unknown prices. 

d. Yes, an albino and bluey morph.

e. Morphs are more expensive costing around $300-500.

f -

g. No, not endangered.

h. No permit needed to keep one. 

i. No controversy.

8. Skinks need rather large cages as they grow and should be house alone. They like temperatures between 75-82 degrees. They have a wide diet and are hardy eaters. They also like rocks to sit on in their enclosures. 

9. This would be a beginner animal because of how calm they are and they aren't very picky or specific on what they eat.

10. I like that this lizard has a blue tongue :)