Say hello to Indigo, our incredible, Blue-tongued Skink (Tiliqua scincoides)! As an ambassador animal, she helps educate visitors about the fascinating world of reptiles while showing off her unique and colorful defense mechanism—her bright blue tongue!

A Master of Survival

Native to Australia, New Guinea, and Tasmania, Blue-tongued Skinks are tough, ground-dwelling reptiles built for life in semi-deserts, woodlands, and scrublands. Their overlapping, armor-like scales provide protection, and when threatened, they stick out their vibrant blue tongues and hiss, startling potential predators long enough to make a quick escape.

Despite her dramatic display, Indigo is nothing to fear—she’s a gentle, curious skink who enjoys exploring and interacting with her caretakers.

What’s on the Menu?

In the wild, Blue-tongued Skinks are omnivores, feeding on insects, other reptiles, and some plant material. At the zoo, Indigo enjoys a balanced diet of greens, fruits, vegetables, beef, and her absolute favorite treat—hard-boiled eggs!

Exotic isn’t for Everyone!

While Blue-tongued Skinks are legal to own in the United States, it is highly illegal to capture and export them from their native lands, due to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Even if acquired legally, they are not a pet for everyone and require specialized care to stay healthy and thrive.

A fully grown skink needs a lot of horizontal space with a secure lid, along with plenty of space to burrow and hide. They also need daily access to fresh water for soaking/drinking, but be prepared to clean it often, as they tend to use it as a bathroom!

Unlike many other reptiles, Blue-tongued Skinks are fossorial, meaning they prefer to dig rather than climb, so vertical habitats are not suitable. Additionally, they are not very social and should live alone, especially males, who tend to fight.

One of the most important aspects of their care is proper lighting, nutrition, and vet care, which can drain a wallet very quickly. Blue-tongued Skinks require 10 to 12 hours of full-spectrum UVA/UVB lighting daily, along with specific vitamins and minerals to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a common issue in pet reptiles due to improper husbandry that affects the animal’s skeletal system. MBD causes weak, rubbery, and easily broken bones, malformations in the skeletal structure, and abnormal muscle twitching or movement. Also, if the animal does become sick, you will need to find a vet who specializes in reptile care, which can mean traveling long distances and paying specialist prices.

A Commitment, NOT a Shortcut

If you're considering adding a Blue-tongued Skink to your family, do your research to ensure you can meet their needs. They require significant time, effort, and financial investment—there are no shortcuts when it comes to responsible reptile care!

If you would like to learn more about why domestic animals are the best pets for most people, check out the Not-a-Pet campaign! And remember, if you have the knowledge and means to add a Blue-tonged skink to your family, adopt don’t shop! There are tons of reptiles out there waiting for the right person to care for them.

Indigo may not be up for adoption, but she’s here to inspire appreciation for these fascinating creatures. So next time you visit, be sure to say hello—but don’t be surprised if she sticks her tongue out at you!