Read About Blue Tongue Lizard

Blue tongue lizard is a member of the skink family, native to Australia. Everything you need to know about them is contained in this article.

Blue Tongue Lizard - Facts

1. Description:

   Blue tongue lizards are a type of skink native to Australia, with a long, flattened body. They are sometimes known to resemble snakes.

2. Varieties:

   There are several different varieties of blue tongue lizard, but the most common is the eastern blue tongued skink.

3. History:

   Blue tongue lizards, like other reptiles, are believed to have evolved from dinosaurs.

4. Physical Traits:

   Blue tongue lizards have smooth, overlapping scales. Eastern blue tongues are usually gray in color, with brown or black bands across the tail and back.

5. Other Defining Characteristics:

   When they are threatened, blue tongue lizards turn towards the source of the threat and thrust out their blue tongues. They may also flatten themselves to look larger when threatened. Blue tongue lizards grow to be around 24 inches; nearly 60% of this is body length.

6. Habitat:

   In the wild, blue tongue lizards usually live in open areas with plenty of ground cover. In a tank, blue tongue lizards require a basking light, ultraviolet light, and temperatures of around 75 -- 85 degrees.

Blue tongue lizard - Concerns

1. Benefits:

   Blue tongue lizards are omnivorous, and in the wild eat many nuisance insects and slugs.

2. Liabilities:

   Blue tongue lizards are generally docile, but can be territorial.

3. Health Issues:

   Blue tongue lizards may harbor ticks. These are not dangerous to mammals, but the lizard should be checked by a vet.

4. Specific Care Needs:

   Blue tongue lizards need temperatures between 75 and 85 degrees, as well as an area for basking (with a temperature of around 95 degrees). Provide your blue tongue lizard with water for drinking as well as bathing, and don't be surprised if he bathes in the drinking water.

5. Reaction to Children and other Pets:

   Keep blue tongue lizards in a tank with a secure lid. As with any reptile, take care to supervise blue tongue lizards around children and other pets.

6. Special Household Needs:

   Due to the risk of salmonella, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend that households with children under the age of 5 or anyone with an immune system deficiency should not own any type of reptiles or amphibians.

Blue tongue lizard - How to Choose

1. What to Look for:

   The blue tongue lizard you select should have clear eyes, with no black, gray or yellow spots on the skin.

2. Supplies:

   Blue tongue lizards require a large tank, such as a 40-gallon aquarium. Make sure the top of the tank has a very secure lid, to prevent your blue tongue lizard from escaping. You will also need a shallow water dish for your blue tongue lizard. Blue tongue lizards eat insects as well as leafy greens and other vegetables.

3. Expense:

   Expect to pay around $50 -- 100 for a blue tongue lizard, and a slightly less than that for the habitat.