{"product_id":"northern-blue-tongued-skink","title":"Northern Blue-Tongued Skink","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv dir=\"auto\" class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+\u0026amp;]:mt-1\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"fbskMG_root markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full dark markdown-new-styling\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eNorthern Blue-Tongued Skink\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eTiliqua scincoides intermedia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Blue-Tongued Skink, Northern Blue-Tongue\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Around \u003cstrong\u003e45–60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e15–20+ years\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e📏 Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge, heavy-bodied terrestrial skink.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdults commonly reach \u003cstrong\u003e45–60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e, including the tail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMales are often larger and more robust.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏡 Housing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge, secure \u003cstrong\u003eterrestrial vivarium\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdult minimum around \u003cstrong\u003e120 × 60 × 60 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e; larger is strongly recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide \u003cstrong\u003e10–15 cm+ of diggable substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInclude sturdy hides, cork, branches and ground cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeave plenty of open floor space for movement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌡️ Temperature\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasking surface: 38–42°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarm end: 28–32°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCool end: 22–26°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNight: 18–22°C\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll heating should be thermostatically controlled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e💡 Lighting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong \u003cstrong\u003eUVB around 10–12%\u003c\/strong\u003e is recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide bright full-spectrum lighting for \u003cstrong\u003e10–12 hours daily\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure the skink can retreat into shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e💧 Humidity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAround \u003cstrong\u003e40–60%\u003c\/strong\u003e is generally suitable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthern Blue-Tongues tolerate a relatively dry setup but should not be allowed to become dehydrated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood ventilation is important.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🥗 Food\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOmnivorous\u003c\/strong\u003e with a varied diet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOffer suitable vegetables, leafy greens, insects and appropriately formulated reptile food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSuitable insects include crickets, locusts and roaches.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFruit can be offered occasionally.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplement with calcium and appropriate vitamins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e💧 Water\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide a sturdy dish of \u003cstrong\u003efresh, clean water\u003c\/strong\u003e at all times.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe dish should be large enough for the skink to drink from but difficult to tip over.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🐍 Shedding\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkin becomes dull before shedding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide suitable humidity and rough surfaces to help remove loose skin.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNever pull retained shed from toes or tail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🤲 Handling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGenerally \u003cstrong\u003ecalm and personable\u003c\/strong\u003e when well socialised.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupport the entire body, particularly the heavy abdomen.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAllow the skink to approach your hands rather than grabbing it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA defensive skink may hiss, open its mouth and display its blue tongue.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e❤️ Health\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMonitor appetite, weight, activity and shedding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWatch for obesity, respiratory problems, parasites and metabolic bone disease.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorrect \u003cstrong\u003eUVB, calcium and temperatures\u003c\/strong\u003e are essential for long-term health.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🧽 Cleaning\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpot-clean faeces and uneaten food regularly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the water bowl clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplace contaminated substrate and thoroughly clean the enclosure periodically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏠 Before You Bring Your Skink Home\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun the vivarium and \u003cstrong\u003echeck all temperatures before introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHave deep substrate, hides, UVB, heating and suitable food ready.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure heating equipment is securely guarded.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e⚠️ Important Bits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNorthern Blue-Tongued Skinks are \u003cstrong\u003elarge, active reptiles\u003c\/strong\u003e that need plenty of floor space.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey are generally terrestrial rather than climbers, so prioritise usable floor area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir blue tongue is a normal \u003cstrong\u003edefensive display\u003c\/strong\u003e, not a sign of illness.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not house two males together.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWith good care, they can be a \u003cstrong\u003e15–20+ year commitment\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Monkfield","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58647546691965,"sku":null,"price":269.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0602\/4983\/3648\/files\/Untitled-2026-01-05T161404.901.png?v=1788792004","url":"https:\/\/www.snuffleandswim.com\/products\/northern-blue-tongued-skink","provider":"Snuffle and Swim","version":"1.0","type":"link"}