Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is something I cannot resolve with a Google search. I'm getting a blue-tongue skink soon. I fully intend on making him a little pen outside to play in and bringing him out for a daily dose of sunshine (obviously not during winter!)

I keep reading conflicting reports as to whether or not they need a constant UVB source. Also, I read they don't require crickets more than once or twice a week. I want to make sure my skink is happy and healthy so can someone clear this up for me?

Free bump for you.

I also wonder the same thing. Do BTS need UVB lighting, or is an under tank heat pad sufficient heating for them?

Also, do they tend to have shedding problems? My old leopard gecko used to have left over shed on his toes and that was always problematic.

They don't need UVB as long as they are given food supplemented with both calcium and vitamin D3. That said, it never hurts to provide a bulb with some UVB, but you don't want their basking area to get any hotter than mid to upper 90's. As for a heat pad, most people strongly recommend against them. Mainly I've heard because some lizards don't sense the heat as well from their bottom side as they do from the top. Heat pads are known to burn reptiles on occasion when not properly adjusted or when their temps spike due to malfunction. I talked to a breeder that said he knew of some blue tongue skinks that got cooked in the early days of captivity here, because they're environment was too hot. I've included a link that will tell you pretty much everything you need to know.
bluetongueskinks

you will need a UVB. If you do not use one they can get MTB from lack of calcium and their bones will become very weak