{"product_id":"pied-blue-tongue-skink","title":"Pied Blue Tongue Skink | Tiliqua scincoides","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pied Blue Tongue Skink is a rare piebald take on the Eastern Blue-Tongue, patches of clean white breaking across the classic banding so that no two animals are alike. As docile and hardy as the standard form, for the keeper who wants something special. Australian stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEastern Blue-Tongues range across eastern Australia, foraging on the ground through open woodland, grassland, coastal heath and even suburban gardens, sheltering under logs, leaf litter and debris. Natural origin for this listing is eastern Australia. In captivity the enclosure should recreate that warm, open, ground-level environment with a good basking zone, cooler shaded retreats, secure hides at each end and plenty of floor space to roam.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy skink shows clear eyes, a rounded well-muscled body, alert posture and a strong feeding response. This is a pied animal: irregular patches of unpigmented white break across the normal silvery-grey and dark banding, making every individual unique, over the familiar broad head, stumpy tail and blue tongue. Adult size is generally 45–60 cm, so the animal should never be purchased only for its current size.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as docile, intelligent and inquisitive, and most settle quickly into calm, regular handling. Blue-Tongues are territorial, however, and are best housed one to an enclosure. Two adults - particularly two males - will fight, and cohabiting risks bites, stress and lost toes or tail, so single housing is strongly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as an omnivore; live insects such as crickets and woodies, leafy greens, mixed vegetables and occasional fruit, plus quality wet dog food or commercial skink diet in moderation. Juveniles take a higher proportion of animal protein and are fed most days, while adults do well on two to three balanced meals a week. Dust insect and meat portions with a calcium supplement and use a reptile multivitamin as directed, and gut-load feeder insects before offering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA single adult needs a minimum enclosure of 120 x 60 x 45 cm, with larger always better. Provide a basking zone of 35–40°C at one end and a cooler end of 24–28°C, with a night-time drop to around 18–22°C. Provide linear UVB (a 5–6% tube) running 10–12 hours a day and replaced as recommended. Keep humidity low to moderate, around 30–40%, on a firm non-impaction substrate, and furnish with snug hides, a basking spot and a shallow water dish. Spot-clean regularly with periodic full substrate changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlue-Tongues are live-bearers, cycled by a cooler winter rest period. After mating, females give birth to litters of roughly 5–15 fully formed young after a gestation of several months. Breeding should only be attempted by prepared keepers with appropriate licensing and space to raise the young.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTiliqua scincoides scincoides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePied Eastern Blue-Tongue Skink\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOpen woodland, grassland, heath and suburban gardens of eastern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45–60 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–30 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDocile, intelligent and inquisitive; tolerant of regular handling\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 x 60 x 45 cm for one adult\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarger than 120 x 60 x 45 cm, single occupant\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore - live insects, leafy greens, vegetables and occasional fruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e35–40°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–28°C day, 18–22°C night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — UV Index 3.0–4.0 at basking + 5–6% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — linear UVB across most of the basking end\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow to moderate, around 30–40%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner keepers wanting a hardy, handleable pet lizard with unique markings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLicence Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes - reptile keeper's licence in most Australian states\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNone is the safest answer. Blue-Tongues are solitary and do not need companionship. Any pairing is only for supervised, temporary breeding introductions by experienced keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eDo not house with other Blue-Tongues or other lizards, and never with small animals that could be seen as prey. Two adults will fight, and mixed housing spreads parasites and disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSize options reflect the sizes we stock; any shown as sold out will return as we restock. Australian livestock for in-store collection or local delivery, with our live arrival guarantee. A reptile keeper's licence is required to buy and keep native reptiles and amphibians in most Australian states - please ensure you hold the appropriate licence for your state before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55234113274147,"sku":"AA3833","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/pied-blue-tongue-skink.jpg?v=1781505208","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pied-blue-tongue-skink","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}