What is the scientific name of the Blue-Tongued Skink?

The scientific name of the Blue-Tongued Skink is Tiliqua gigas gigas.

What are other common names for the Blue-Tongued Skink?

The Blue-Tongued Skink is also known as Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink.

How big do Blue-Tongued Skinks get?

Adult Blue-Tongued Skinks typically reach about 18-24 inches.

How long do Blue-Tongued Skinks live?

Blue-Tongued Skinks live about 30-40 years with proper care.

What temperatures does a Blue-Tongued Skink need?

Recommended temperatures for a Blue-Tongued Skink: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 95-100°F basking spot.

What humidity does a Blue-Tongued Skink need?

Blue-Tongued Skinks need 60-80% humidity.

Do Blue-Tongued Skinks need UVB lighting?

Yes. Recommended lighting for Blue-Tongued Skinks: UVA/UVB required.

What size enclosure does a Blue-Tongued Skink need?

Recommended enclosure sizes for a Blue-Tongued Skink: Baby-Young: 36x18x18 (>6 months +); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum), 72”x24”x24” (large/active adult).

What do Blue-Tongued Skinks eat?

Blue-Tongued Skinks eat: Omnivorous; Greens; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents; Invertebrates; Insects; Animal Protein; Etc.

Are Blue-Tongued Skinks good for beginners?

Blue-Tongued Skinks are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience.

Are Blue-Tongued Skinks nocturnal or diurnal?

Blue-Tongued Skinks are diurnal (active during the day).

What is Blue-Tongued Skink behavior like?

Common Blue-Tongued Skink behavior traits: Food motivated; Very curious; Can be skittish when young; Calm down with consistent handling; They need varied diets.

Do Blue-Tongued Skinks lay eggs?

No. Blue-Tongued Skinks are ovoviviparous; eggs develop inside the mother and the young are born live.

How many babies does a Blue-Tongued Skink have?

A Blue-Tongued Skink litter is typically about 5-15 babies.

How long is Blue-Tongued Skink gestation?

Blue-Tongued Skink gestation typically lasts about 100-150 days.

What is the best substrate for adult Blue-Tongued Skinks?

Recommended substrates for adult Blue-Tongued Skinks: MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and BabiChip Premium Small Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use.

What is the best enclosure for a Blue-Tongued Skink?

Recommended enclosures for Blue-Tongued Skinks by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').

What lighting products are best for a Blue-Tongued Skink?

Recommended lighting products for Blue-Tongued Skinks: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.

What heating products does a Blue-Tongued Skink need?

Recommended heating products for Blue-Tongued Skinks by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.

What food products are best for Blue-Tongued Skinks?

Recommended food products for Blue-Tongued Skinks: Pangea Calcium.

Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink

Common Name(s)	Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink
Scientific Name	Tiliqua gigas gigas
Behavior	Diurnal (active during day) Food motivated Very curious Can be skittish when young Calm down with consistent handling They need varied diets
Reproduction	Ovoviviparous (Live Birth) Gestation: ~100-150 days Litter size: ~5-15
Lifespan	~30-40 years
Temperatures	70-75°F cool side 80-85°F warm side 95-100°F basking spot
Humidity	60-80%
Lighting	UVA/UVB required
Size	~18-24 inches
Enclosure Recommendations	Baby-Young: 36x18x18 (>6 months +) Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum) 72”x24”x24” (large/active adult)
Experience Level	Intermediate Take note of lifespan Parents should always be involved caring for any pet, until the child is 18 yrs.
Diet	Omnivorous Greens Fungi Fruits & Flowers Succulents Invertebrates Insects Animal Protein Etc.

Filter by age:

Best Bundles for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

Subadult Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink Ultimate Habitat Bundle

Best Substrates for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles: Breeder Block

Best Enclosures for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

48" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (4x2): 120 Gallon 48x24x24 / Black

Best Diets for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

Pangea Calcium: Default Title

Best Lighting Products for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 48"

Best Heating Products for Subadult Blue-Tongued Skinks

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 100W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

Best Substrates for Juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks

ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use: 36 Quart

MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use: 12 Quart

Best Enclosures for Juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks

36" Sliding Door Reptile Vivarium (36x18) - 50 Gallon: Black

Best Diets for Juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks

Pangea Calcium: Default Title

Best Lighting Products for Juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks

Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting: LumenIZE® Smart UVB Kit / 36"

Best Heating Products for Juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks

Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater: 75W

Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector: 8"

The Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink (Tiliqua gigas gigas) is one of the largest and most striking species of blue-tongue skinks, native to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. These skinks are known for their bright blue tongues, which they use as a defense mechanism to startle potential predators. When threatened, the skink will open its mouth wide to display its vibrant blue tongue, contrasting with the rest of its body, to ward off attackers. In the wild, they are primarily terrestrial and are often found foraging on the forest floor. Their omnivorous diet includes a variety of insects, fruits, flowers, and plant matter, making them opportunistic feeders well-suited to their diverse habitat.

Indonesian Blue Tongue Skinks are also unique in that they are live-bearing reptiles, giving birth to fully developed young rather than laying eggs, a reproductive trait that helps protect their offspring in the unpredictable tropical environment. The skinks are robust and can live for up to 20 years or more in captivity, making them a popular choice among reptile enthusiasts. However, they require specific care to thrive, including high humidity levels (between 60% and 80%) and a temperature gradient with basking areas around 90°F (32°C). Their calm and curious nature makes them relatively easy to handle, but their larger size and habitat needs make them more suited for intermediate or advanced reptile keepers.

Native Range

Indonesia, including the islands of New Guinea, Timor, and the surrounding areas.

Why ReptiChip?

ReptiChip is made by blue-tongued skink lovers, for blue-tongued skink lovers. It’s what the pros use, and it’s what you can use, too.

Our product line includes BabiChip, RediChip, TropicalBase, MicroChip, and ReptiEarth, so you can be sure to find the perfect blue-tongued skink bedding for your pet.

Ready to switch to the ultimate blue-tongued skink bedding? Check out ReptiChip today.

Common Blue-Tongued Skink ReptiChip Questions

: The scientific name of the Blue-Tongued Skink is Tiliqua gigas gigas.
: The Blue-Tongued Skink is also known as Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink.
: Indonesia, including the islands of New Guinea, Timor, and the surrounding areas.
: Adult Blue-Tongued Skinks typically reach about 18-24 inches.
: Blue-Tongued Skinks live about 30-40 years with proper care.
: Recommended temperatures for a Blue-Tongued Skink: 70-75°F cool side, 80-85°F warm side, and 95-100°F basking spot.
: Blue-Tongued Skinks need 60-80% humidity.
: Yes. Recommended lighting for Blue-Tongued Skinks: UVA/UVB required.
: Recommended enclosure sizes for a Blue-Tongued Skink: Baby-Young: 36x18x18 (>6 months +); Sub Adult-Adult: 48”x24”x24” (minimum), 72”x24”x24” (large/active adult).
: Blue-Tongued Skinks eat: Omnivorous; Greens; Fungi; Fruits & Flowers; Succulents; Invertebrates; Insects; Animal Protein; Etc.
: Blue-Tongued Skinks are not usually recommended for beginners; they are rated Intermediate for keeper experience.
: Blue-Tongued Skinks are diurnal (active during the day).
: Common Blue-Tongued Skink behavior traits: Food motivated; Very curious; Can be skittish when young; Calm down with consistent handling; They need varied diets.
: No. Blue-Tongued Skinks are ovoviviparous; eggs develop inside the mother and the young are born live.
: A Blue-Tongued Skink litter is typically about 5-15 babies.
: Blue-Tongued Skink gestation typically lasts about 100-150 days.
: Recommended substrates for juvenile Blue-Tongued Skinks: ReptiEarth Fine Coconut Fiber Mix; Ready to Use and MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use.
: Recommended substrates for sub-adult Blue-Tongued Skinks: MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and ReptiEarth Breeder Blocks and Bundles.
: Recommended substrates for adult Blue-Tongued Skinks: MicroChip Fine Coconut Chip Mix; Ready to Use and BabiChip Premium Small Sized Coconut Chips; Ready to Use.
: Recommended enclosures for Blue-Tongued Skinks by age. Juvenile: Vivarium 36" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums. Sub-adult: Vivarium 48" Sliding Door Reptile Terrariums (4'x2').
: Recommended lighting products for Blue-Tongued Skinks: Arcadia 12% UVB D3 Desert Lighting.
: Recommended heating products for Blue-Tongued Skinks by age. Juvenile: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Sub-adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater and Vivarium Electronics Ceramic Dome Reflector. Adult: Arcadia GoldenSun Basking Halogen Heater.
: Yes. Recommended habitat bundles for Blue-Tongued Skinks by age. Juvenile: Juvenile Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink Ultimate Habitat Bundle. Sub-adult: Subadult Indonesian Blue-Tongued Skink Ultimate Habitat Bundle.
: Recommended food products for Blue-Tongued Skinks: Pangea Calcium.