{"product_id":"pink-tongue-skink","title":"Pink-tongue Skink | Cyclodomorphus gerrardii","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pink-tongue Skink is a slender, semi-arboreal rainforest cousin of the blue-tongues, best known for its unusual snail-based diet and its calm, curious nature. A rewarding step up for the keeper ready to manage higher humidity. Australian stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePink-tongue Skinks live in the moist coastal and hinterland rainforest and wet forest of eastern Australia, from New South Wales into Queensland, sheltering in leaf litter, low vegetation and among rocks and logs, and climbing readily at night. Natural origin for this listing is eastern Australia. In captivity the enclosure should recreate that cool, damp, shaded forest floor and understorey with climbing branches, leaf litter, dense cover, a humid retreat and gentle warmth rather than harsh basking heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA healthy skink shows clear eyes, good body condition, an alert posture and a strong feeding response. This species is slender and elongate with a long semi-prehensile tail, a blunt triangular head and smooth scales, patterned in soft grey to fawn with darker crossbands that are boldest in juveniles, and it is named for the pink tongue it flicks in place of the blue of its relatives. Adult size is generally 38–45 cm including the tail, 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 calm, curious and largely nocturnal, and settled animals tolerate gentle handling well. Adults are best housed singly outside of breeding, as cohabiting can lead to competition over food and basking sites and to stress, though this species is less overtly aggressive than the larger blue-tongues.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a molluscivore; snails and slugs are the natural staple and canned or captive-bred snails make an excellent captive base, supplemented with appropriately sized insects, the occasional pinky and small amounts of soft fruit. Dust feeders with a calcium supplement and use a reptile multivitamin as directed, and gut-load feeder insects. Feed juveniles every day or two and adults around three times a week, and source snails from clean, pesticide-free stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA single adult needs a minimum enclosure of about 90 x 45 x 60 cm, taller for climbing, with larger better. Provide a modest warm zone of 28–32°C and a cooler end of 22–26°C, with a natural night-time drop. Low-level UVB benefits this crepuscular species and should run 10–12 hours a day. Keep humidity high, around 60–80%, with regular misting, a moisture-holding substrate, leaf litter, cork and branches for climbing, a humid hide and a water dish. Ventilate well to avoid stagnant, stale air, and spot-clean regularly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePink-tongue Skinks are live-bearers, cycled by a cooler, drier winter rest followed by warmer, more humid conditions. Females can give birth to large litters, sometimes more than twenty young, after a gestation of several months. Breeding should only be attempted by prepared keepers with appropriate licensing and the resources 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\u003eCyclodomorphus gerrardii\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePink-tongue Skink\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoastal and hinterland rainforest and wet forest of eastern Australia (NSW and QLD)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e38–45 cm (including tail)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e15–20 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCalm, curious and semi-arboreal; largely nocturnal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Enclosure Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 x 45 x 60 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 and taller than 90 x 45 x 60 cm, with climbing branches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMolluscivore - snails and slugs, plus insects and some soft fruit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBasking Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e28–32°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAmbient Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e22–26°C day, cooler at night\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUVB Required\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes — UV Index 1.0–2.0 at basking + 2–5% UVB (T5 HO fluorescent) — low-level UVB for this crepuscular forest skink\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHumidity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHigh, around 60–80%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate keepers comfortable managing humidity and a specialist diet\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. Pink-tongue Skinks are best kept singly 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 long-term with other skinks, other lizard species, or any animal small enough to be seen as prey. Mixed housing causes competition and stress and can spread 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":55234113667363,"sku":"BA8930","price":300.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/pink-tongue-skink.jpg?v=1781505208","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pink-tongue-skink","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}