Popular varieties
One of the largest lizard families is the Scincidae, or lizard family. The most prominent and popular among pet skinks is the Tiliqua, or blue tongue skink. There are several different species and subspecies of the blue-tongue skink, all of which have a characteristic berry-blue tongue.
There are ten types, or subspecies, of blue-tongue skink. They are Westerners, Central, East, North, Blotched, Pygmy, Indonesian, Kei Island, Tanimbar Island and blue-tongue Merauke skinks.
Blue Tongue Skink Size
The green tongue lizard is a medium-sized, heavy-bodied lizard with a short, fat tail and legs and a triangular head. They are slow-moving lizards, due to their short and stout legs, and they do not like to climb very much.
The size of your pet blue tongue skink will largely depend on the species you purchase, but in general, they will grow to reach lengths of up to 20 inches and sometimes more. The average size of each blue tongue skink species is broken down below:
- Western blue-tongue parrots measure about 19.5 inches (50 centimeters) in length. They are one of the rarest skink species and are not usually kept as pets.
- Pygmy green-tongue is the smallest and rarest of the lizards, reaching a maximum length of only 4 inches (10 cm).
- The spotted green tongue skin can grow to a length of 23.5 inches (60 cm).
- Tanimbar Island skinks are smaller, measuring 15 to 17 inches (38 to 43 centimeters) in length.
- Northern green-tongue parrots are the largest and heaviest, growing to an average size of 24 inches (61 cm) in length.
- The Eastern blue tongue catfish is also known as the common blue tongue catfish and grows to an average length of 19 inches (48 cm).
- The Centralian Blue Tongue Catfish ranges in length from 15.5 to 17.5 inches (40 to 45 cm).
- Merauke blue tongue catfish usually reach a length of 25 to 30 inches (63.5 – 76 cm).
- Kei Island and the Indonesian Blue Tongue Catfish are about 19.75 inches (50 cm) long.
Blue-Longued Skink Longevity
As you can see, there are many different types of green tongue lizards, each with different lifespans and different characteristics. That said, the entire skink family has been around for a relatively long time. If you are considering buying a blue tongue skink pet, be prepared to commit to at least twenty years.
The normal lifespan of a captive skink is between fifteen and twenty years, but some have been reported to live over thirty-two years.
Blue-Longued Skink Appears
The Blue Tongue Catfish is, as the name suggests, best known for its bright, berry-colored tongue.
Their scales have a glossy appearance and come in a variety of patterns, colors, and markings. Their base colors can range from cream, golden yellow to red, orange, silver gray and in some cases they are completely black or brown.
Depending on the skink species, some will have different patterns and bands than others.
Blue tongue skin care level
Blue-tongue skinks are generally a friendly, intelligent, lizard-like group. They make great reptile pets, but they are quite large lizards to keep. They settle down quickly, adapt easily to captivity, and develop into easy-going, submissive pets. However, certain species are calmer than others, and not every green-tongued lizard can be considered safe for children.
Although maintenance and care costs are relatively low, especially when compared to a pet that is a dog or cat, blue-tongued lizards can live quite a long time. For these reasons, they can be considered good for beginners to advanced reptile keepers, but you should think and consider carefully before deciding on a breed of your own. me.
Blue-Longued Skink Diet
Feed your Blue Tongue Skink
Blue-tongued parrots are omnivores, eating both plants and meat, but their diet should consist of about 70% fresh fruits, vegetables, and other plant matter—great news if you don’t like the idea of carrying Live insects come into the house to feed your skink!
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