If you’re planning on getting a pet Northern blue tongue skink, then the first thing you need to do is set up an appropriate terrarium for it to live in. Blue tongue skinks aren’t like other types of pets that you may be more familiar with, such as dogs or cats. They can’t simply live free-range with you in your home; instead, they need a terrarium that has the right equipment in the right arrangement to create a usable environment that replicates the conditions of their native habitat.
If you haven’t read our Blue Tongue Skink Care Sheet yet, read that first! Once you have a basic understanding of what your new pet needs from its habitat, you’re ready to start setting up a Northern blue tongue skink terrarium.
It may seem expensive to buy all of these supplies for “just a lizard,” but they are essential to your pet’s survival. Without an appropriate terrarium to live in, your new pet is likely to get sick and die. Here’s our step-by-step guide to successfully setting up a Northern blue tongue skink terrarium so you and your beloved pet can enjoy many years together!
Blue tongue skinks are unique and fascinating lizards that make great pets With proper care and housing, these docile reptiles can live up to 20 years.
One of the most important aspects of keeping a healthy blue tongue skink is providing an appropriate habitat Their enclosure needs to mimic elements of their natural environment as much as possible
This guide will walk you through how to set up the ideal habitat for your blue tongue skink. We’ll cover everything from tank size and materials to lighting, heating, substrate and decor.
Choosing an Enclosure
Blue tongue skinks are terrestrial lizards that spend most of their time on the ground. For babies, a 20 gallon tank is sufficient but adults need much more room.
The minimum enclosure size for an adult blue tongue skink is 4 feet long by 2 feet wide by 1.5 feet tall (about 48”x24”x18”). This provides around 8 square feet of floor space.
Glass or wood enclosures work well but plastic reptile tubs or PVC enclosures are optimal for maintaining humidity. Be sure to choose a tank with front-opening doors for easy access.
Providing Proper Lighting
There are two essential lighting elements for a blue tongue skink habitat – UVB and heat lamps.
Blue tongue skinks need 12-14 hours of UVB light per day for calcium metabolism and vitamin D3 production. Use a UVB fluorescent tube that spans at least half the enclosure length.
For heat, install an overhead incandescent basking bulb at one end of the tank to create a warm basking area of 90-100°F. The cool end should be 75-85°F. Use a thermostat to regulate temperatures.
Maintaining the Right Temperature Gradient
Blue tongue skinks are cold-blooded so they require a thermal gradient to self-regulate their body temperature.
Place a digital thermometer with a probe on both the cool and warm ends to monitor the temperature range. The warm side should be 90-100°F and the cool side 75-85°F.
At night, temperatures can safely drop into the low 70s on the cool end but shouldn’t fall below 65°F. Use a ceramic heat emitter to provide ambient heat at night.
Position flat basking rocks under the warm basking light so your skink can perch on them to soak up heat. Avoid loose substrates like sand that may cause impaction if ingested.
Keeping the Humidity Moderate
Blue tongue skinks need a moderately humid environment between 40-60% humidity. Use a hygrometer to monitor moisture levels.
Add moisture by misting the enclosure daily or using a humidifier. Provide a large water bowl that the skink can soak in to increase humidity.
Proper humidity will aid in shedding and prevent respiratory infections. But too much moisture can lead to scale rot or mold growth. Good ventilation is key.
Choosing the Right Substrate
A loose, burrowable substrate at least 6 inches deep allows blue tongue skinks to dig like they would in the wild.
Good options include cypress mulch, coconut husk fiber, sphagnum moss, orchid bark or a bioactive mix. Avoid sand, pine or cedar shavings.
The substrate should retain some moisture but not be waterlogged. Spot clean waste daily and completely change it out every 4-6 weeks.
Adding Enriching Decorations
While blue tongue skinks don’t need a heavily decorated habitat, some simple furnishings can enrich their environment.
Include two snug-fitting hide boxes (one on each temperature zone) so the skink feels secure. Place branches, cork rounds or rocks for basking and climbing enrichment.
Artificial vines, leaves or plants add aesthetic appeal while providing cover. A realistic background affixed to the glass completes the naturalistic look.
Setting Up a Bioactive Enclosure
For experienced keepers, bioactive setups are an engaging way to house blue tongue skinks naturally.
A bioactive habitat contains live plants and clean-up crews that help break down waste and recycle nutrients. This creates a sustainable mini-ecosystem with less maintenance.
Bioactive components include a drainage layer, nutrient-rich substrate, leaf litter, cleanup crew insects, and hardy low-light plants. Monitor new setups closely before introducing your skink.
Putting It All Together
Use this checklist when setting up your blue tongue skink habitat:
-
4x2x2 foot minimum wooden or PVC enclosure
-
UVB + basking lights on a timer for 12-14 hour photoperiod
-
Thermometer + thermostat to monitor temperatures
-
Thick, humid substrate for burrowing and shedding
-
Two hides, branches, plants and other decor
-
Large water bowl and daily misting for hydration
-
Bioactive setup (optional for experienced keepers)
Following these habitat guidelines will keep your bluey healthy and enrich its quality of life! Monitor temperatures and humidity, spot clean regularly, and make sure your skink has everything it needs to thrive.
Step 1: Choose the Right Terrarium
Northern blue tongue skinks are terrestrial and generally grow up to 24” long, and need a terrarium that is appropriate for that size of lizard. 4’L x 2’W x 2’H is the minimum acceptable size for housing this species, although larger is better.
This terrarium can be made from wood, PVC, or even glass, but it should be front-opening and have plenty of ventilation for healthy airflow, whether in the form of a mesh top or side vents. We prefer enclosures with a mesh top design, as they make it much easier to safely install heat, UVB, and 6500K lamps.
If your terrarium doesn’t have opaque sides, you will need to cover them with something to help your blue tongue skink be comfortable in its environment. This can be as simple as construction paper or as elaborate as a 3D textured background.
Products we recommend:
Step 3: Start Minimalist
With any new pet reptile, it is best practice to quarantine them for 3-6 months after bringing them home, especially if you have other pet reptiles. When you first set up your Northern blue tongue skink terrarium, it’s best to start simple so you can quarantine them efficiently.
Here’s what you need at minimum:
- paper towels
- flagstone
- hide box or cave (x2)
- water dish
- artificial foliage
- digital thermometer/hygrometer device (x2)
The flagstone should go directly under the heat lamps in order to absorb heat and create an ideal basking site. Place the thermometer probes so one is on the basking surface and one is on the cool side of the terrarium. Your temperature gradient should look like this:
- Basking temperature — 95-105°F
- General air temperature — 70-85°F
- Nighttime — 65-75°F
If temperatures are too high, use a plug-in lamp dimmer, thermostat, or a lower bulb wattage. If the temperatures are too low, you will need higher-wattage bulbs.
Make sure none of the décor allows your skink to get closer than 13” directly under the UVB lamp, as UVB intensity increases with proximity to the bulb.
Products we recommend:
Blue Tongue Skink Set Up! (New Owners Watch This)
FAQ
What do blue tongue skinks need in their tank?
Provide stones and branches for climbing. Appropriately sized hides or caves are essential for skinks to feel secure and should be placed in both hot and cool ends of the vivarium. Also provide a moist hide to create an area of higher humidity by filling a hide with moss that is kept damp by spraying with clean water.
What is the best setup for a blue tongue skink?
Blue-tongue skinks live happily in a rack system or glass terrarium. A 40-gallon breeder tank is best for mature blue-tongue skinks, while babies should be housed in a 10 to 20-gallon terrarium. Adults required a minimum of eight square feet of floor space. If you opt for a wooden enclosure, avoid pine or cedar.
What kind of enclosure does a blue tongue skink need?
An adult blue-tongued skink requires minimum 8 sq ft of floor space, or a 4’x2’x2′ Reptile Enclosure.