August 21, 2024
With their captivating blue tongues and laid-back temperament, blue-tongue lizards make fascinating pets. However, they come with specific care requirements to thrive in your home. Here's everything you need to know about their care, diet, and habitat.
Fact File
- Lifespan: 12-15 years
- Size: Up to 45-55cm
- Diet: Omnivorous—includes plants, slow-moving animals, fruits, and vegetables
- Habitat: Requires an enclosure of at least 100cm x 50cm x 26cm
Care and Maintenance
Blue-tongue lizards are active and make fantastic pets for families. While they require specific care, meeting their needs will reward you with an incredible pet. They thrive in spacious enclosures, and depending on your location, you can house them indoors or outdoors. If your climate resembles their natural habitat, an outdoor setup allows them ample space to roam and bask.
Expect your lizard to shed its skin up to 10 times in its first year and several times annually as an adult. During shedding, they may lose appetite and become thirstier. When their skin appears dull and begins to crack, it’s best to leave them undisturbed as they can be irritable during this time.
Additionally, blue-tongues may undergo brumation—a hibernation-like state triggered by cool conditions. Even if their enclosure is warm, they may still enter dormancy for up to four months, becoming inactive and sleeping in dark spots.
Setting Up Their Habitat
Choose a glass aquarium, wooden box, or plastic tub for your lizard’s home, ensuring it's large enough for their adult size. The substrate can be sand, gravel, or newspaper. Provide low, stable branches, a dark retreat (like a hollow log or box), and a rough surface for shedding.
Temperature is crucial: maintain a cool end of the enclosure at 24-28°C and a basking spot at 30-35°C. UVB lighting and proper heating are essential for their well-being.
For outdoor habitats, tin enclosures are ideal, with no need for artificial light or heat. Ensure the walls are at least 5-8cm high, with 100mm of tin underground to prevent escapes. Provide shelter and always keep a clean water bowl in the enclosure.
Licensing
In Australia, blue-tongue lizards are protected, requiring you to obtain a ‘Companion Animal Keeper Licence’ to house them legally. Regulations vary by state, so check your local government website for specific rules. For example, in NSW, the 'Code of Practice for the Private Keeping of Reptiles' outlines the requirements. Licenses can be applied for online or by phone.
Feeding
As omnivores, blue-tongues enjoy a diet of garden snails, fruits, vegetables, and occasionally crickets or mice. They usually eat after basking in the morning sun, so it's fine to leave food in their enclosure for them to consume throughout the day. However, any uneaten food should be discarded after a day. Baby lizards need feeding five times a week, whereas adults can be fed two to three times weekly.
Travelling
When handling your blue-tongue, support all its limbs rather than gripping its torso. During travel, wrap them in a towel or blanket with a hot water bottle. Use a small, ventilated container or pet carrier for transportation.
Health Care
Choose a healthy lizard by ensuring it’s active and responsive, with clear eyes and nostrils, and no signs of excessive skin shedding, abrasions, or swelling. Regular health checks are crucial for early disease detection. Watch for blisters, sores, or abscesses to prevent skin issues, and monitor for signs of respiratory infections, like mucus or heavy breathing. Also, check your lizard's faeces for parasites—runny, discoloured, or foul-smelling droppings could indicate a problem. If you notice any symptoms, consult a vet immediately.
Pet Safety Tips
Keep a record of your lizard’s habits and weight to monitor its health. Ensure all food and elements in their habitat are chemical-free, as even backyard snails could carry harmful pesticides. Regularly check heat lamps and other equipment to ensure they are functioning correctly.