Blue Tongue Skinks Research Paper
Blue Tongue Skinks. There are approximately 4,675 lizard species in the world (animals.sandiegozoo.org), and 2% of americans alone own lizards. Pet lizards have become quite popular among many, although not quite as loved as furry animal, some of them can be quite docile. Blue Tongue Skinks in particular, make ideal pets for beginning pet owners. Blue tongues require little attention, although before owning them, one should know about what they eat, habitation requirements, and other special needs that they have. Blue tongue skinks originated from Australia, and are part of the scincidae family. They have blue tongues, live for 12-20 years, and can grow from 12 to 16 inches depending on their gender (reptilesmagazine.com). Females grow larger
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A 20 gallon tank should suffice for one Blue Tongue Skink, although, a 50 gallon tank would be ideal. The climate and wattage of the tank should depend of the size of the aquarium. The bulb, one would require is a UVB, and an optional Infrared light bulb to provide heating. If a Blue tongue skink does not get provided the required amount of UVB light, which is 12-14 hours, then it may acquire what is known as “Metabolic bone disease”. Calcium tabs aid in the absorption of UVB light. In order to provide the ideal requirements for the Skink, the bulbs should be focused on one area of the tank, giving the Blue Tongue a warm side of 80 to 100 degrees, and a cool side of 70-80 degrees. Never let a tank drop below 70 degrees. A blue tongue skink like to burrow, and are known burrowers so a substrate of fir bark or cypress mulch would be better than most. Scented substrates such as cedar may be dangerous for Blue tongues, and also, because a Blue Tongue Skinks are known burrowers, then some accessories such as a hollow log would make for a great burrowing spot, although beware of cluttering because as they like to burrow, they also like to roam. Some blue tongues also like to bask in water, so a watering hole is nice to have, although do not make it too deep, because Blue tongues are not known to swim and may drown. Maintaining a clean habitat is always ideal. If a Blue tongue defecates on its
A 20 gallon tank should suffice for one Blue Tongue Skink, although, a 50 gallon tank would be ideal. The climate and wattage of the tank should depend of the size of the aquarium. The bulb, one would require is a UVB, and an optional Infrared light bulb to provide heating. If a Blue tongue skink does not get provided the required amount of UVB light, which is 12-14 hours, then it may acquire what is known as “Metabolic bone disease”. Calcium tabs aid in the absorption of UVB light. In order to provide the ideal requirements for the Skink, the bulbs should be focused on one area of the tank, giving the Blue Tongue a warm side of 80 to 100 degrees, and a cool side of 70-80 degrees. Never let a tank drop below 70 degrees. A blue tongue skink like to burrow, and are known burrowers so a substrate of fir bark or cypress mulch would be better than most. Scented substrates such as cedar may be dangerous for Blue tongues, and also, because a Blue Tongue Skinks are known burrowers, then some accessories such as a hollow log would make for a great burrowing spot, although beware of cluttering because as they like to burrow, they also like to roam. Some blue tongues also like to bask in water, so a watering hole is nice to have, although do not make it too deep, because Blue tongues are not known to swim and may drown. Maintaining a clean habitat is always ideal. If a Blue tongue defecates on its