Blue-tongued skink enclosure size and setup

Blue-tongued skink at a glance

Minimum enclosure

48 × 24 × 24 inches122 × 61 × 61 cm, about 120 gallons

Warm side

100-105°F

Cool side

70-80°F

Humidity

40-60%

UVB

Zone 2 to 3

Group

Lizards

A ground dweller, so floor space beats height. Indonesian types need more humidity than Australian ones.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a blue-tongued skink need?

At least 48 × 24 × 24 inches (122 × 61 × 61 cm) for one adult, about 120 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a blue-tongued skink enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 100-105°F and a cool side of 70-80°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a blue-tongued skink need?

40-60%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a blue-tongued skink need UVB?

Yes, Zone 2 to 3, which runs from moderate UVB, for animals that bask now and then to strong UVB, for regular sun baskers. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult blue-tongued skink?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your blue-tongued skink

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles