Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm considering a blue tongue skink. Are they nocturnal or dinural? If they're dinural, do they want a basking light, something bright?

Thanks!
Leslie

I'm in the process of researching. I have a 90-gallon aquarium in the living room and am trying to decide if a blue-tongue skink is suitable. It's near the TV, so we don't want to bring in a creature that needs bright light - that would be annoying. We usually hang out in there in the evening, so something that is active at dusk or even nocturnal might be nice. The articles I've read say BTS are dinural, or semi-nocturnal. Are your BTSs active at dusk? In the dark? And during the daytime, do they want really bright light (a basking light - I've not read that) or just a good quality UVB light?

Thanks!!
Leslie

My blue tongues are only active during the day and do require a basking light for heat and UVB light (though there seems to be debate if they require UVB lights). Blue tongues do like to burrow or at least be under stuff, but do come out under direct light during the day frequently.

As they need 12-14 hours of light, it may not be a good ideal to put the tank right beside your TV.
-----
PHLdyPayne

agree...
blue tongue behavior reminds me of box turtles. A slow wake up after sunrise, followed by basking to raise body temp, then search for food. Mine are hidden for the day around 5-6 pm.
-----
1 Eastern Blue Tongue Skink
2 Tarahumara Mountain Kingsnakes - Knoblochi
1 Thayer's Kingsnake - Thayeri
2 Golden Greek Tortoises
1 Pyxie Frog - 14 years old

Thanks for your input. It doesn't sound like the blue tongue skink would do well in my situation. (Darn!) I'll look in another direction.

Again, thanks!!
Leslie