The blue-tongued skink is a large, diurnal lizard native to the forest, scrublands, and deserts of Australia and New Guinea. They can reach lengths of almost 2 feet and have a gentle personality that makes them great pets for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. When threatened by predators, these lizards puff up their bodies to look bigger. They spend most of their day searching for food, which includes insects, snails, slugs, fruits, vegetables and even small mammals. Blue-tongued skinks also have overlapping scales that are usually smooth and contain small granular scales.
These lizards are known for their bright blue tongues which they use as a defense mechanism when threatened by predators. The tongue is used to startle the predator so that the skink can make its escape.
Blue-tongued skinks are social animals who enjoy being around other skinks or people. They can be kept in groups or with other reptiles as long as they have enough space to roam around in.
Overall, blue-tongued skinks make great pets due to their docile nature and low maintenance requirements. With proper care and attention they can live up to 20 years!
