DISTRIBUTION: Northern and eastern Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea.

SIZE: Up to 20 inches (50 cm.)

TEMPERAMENT: Very docile. Individuals should be kept separately except for breeding purposes.

HARDINESS: Extremely hardy when properly set up and maintained.

SEXING:  Popping and probing can be hazardous to the animal, if you don't know what you're doing. Males tend to have larger heads, on a thinner body, and redder eyes. Females tend to be heavier bodied with a relatively smaller head. Males do not like each other, and will fight when placed together. Females will wiggle their tails when confronted by a male.

FOOD: Nutrient fed crickets, mealworms, kingworms, butterworms, waxworms and pinkie or fuzzy mice. Should also be fed an assortment of vegetables and fruits. Must receive calcium supplements twice a week and a vitamin supplement once a week.

HOUSING: Babies should be housed in a minimum 15 gallon (57 liter) vivarium. Adults should be housed in a 40 gallon (152 liter.) Sand or orchid bark can be used as a substrate. Landscape with rocks, driftwood, branches hollow logs and cork bark slabs.

WATER: A shallow dish of fresh water should always be available. Replace water and clean daily. Mist daily also.

TEMPERATURE/HUMIDITY: Day 78F-95F (25C-35C) gradient. Night 70F-78F (21C-25C.) Low to moderate humidity. Mist daily.

LIGHTING: Fluorescent full spectrum/UV radiation reptile lights are required for long term maintenance of blue tongue skinks.

HEATING: AN under tank heater will provide surface heat. An incandescent light bulb in a reflector situated at one end of the vivarium will provide gradient heat.

GENERAL NOTES: All species of Tiliqua can be maintained under the same conditions as the blue tongue skink.