bluetongueskinks.net Food Chart

When to feed:

BTS Age (approximate):How often to feed:How much to Feed:
up to 3 months~ Daily to every 2 days1 to 2 teaspoons
3 to 8 months~ Every 2 to 5 days1 to 2 tablespoons
over 8 months1 to 2 times per week1 to 2 tablespoons
Notes: They have slow metabolisms and do not need as much food as a mammal. They will not necessarily eat the recommended amounts. If a skink is healthy and not eating or only picking out favorites, it might be overfed - a picky skink is not a hungry skink.

What to feed:


Greens

Greens and veggies should make up approximately 50% of the adult diet and approximately 40% of the juvenile diet.

Name:Alternate names:Feed:Ca:PProtein (%)Fat (%)Notes
ArugulaRocketFrequently3:12.60.7 
Basil Occasional / Treat2.2:12.50.6Good for flavor, can entice picky eaters to eat. Good source of vitamin K.
Beet greens Frequently3:11.80.1 
Bok Choy In Moderation2.8:11.50.2 
Chicory Greens In Moderation2:11.70.3 
Collard GreensSpring greens (UK)Frequently14.5:12.50.4Excellent Ca:P ratio, but member of Brassica genus so high goitrogens
Dandelion Greens Frequently2.8:12.70.7 
Endive, Belgian Frequently1.9:110.2 
EscaroleEndiveFrequently1.9:12.01.0 
Green cabbage Occasional 2:11.40.3Brassica genus - high goitrogens
Kale Occasional 2.4:13.30.7Brassica genus - high goitrogens
Mustard Greens Frequently2.4:12.70.2 
Red cabbage Occasional 1.2:11.40.3Brassica genus - high goitrogens
Red leaf lettuce Occasional 1:1.21.60.2Poor nutritional value
Romaine Occasional 1:1.31.60.2Poor nutritional value, high vitamin A, high oxalates
Turnip Greens Frequently4.5:11.50.3 
Watercress Frequently2:12.30.1


Vegetables

Use a cheese grater or food processor for hard veggies like squashes and parsnip. Veggies and greens will generally not be as popular as protein or fruit, so chop finely and mix with other foods.

Name:Alternate names:Feed:Ca:PProtein (%)Fat (%)Notes
Asparagus Occasional 1:2.72.30.2 
Beets Occasional 1:20.90.2 
Bell Peppers (green, red)CapsicumOccasional 1:20.90.2 
Bell Peppers (yellow)CapsicumOccasional 1:2.21.00.2 
Borage Frequently1.75:11.80.7 
Broccoli Occasional 1:1.43.00.4Brassica genus - high goitrogens
Brussels Sprouts Occasional 1:1.63.40.3Brassica genus - high goitrogens
Cactus Pad/Leaf Frequently2.3:10.80.5 
Cactus Pear (Prickly Pear) Frequently2.3:10.70.5 
Carrots Occasional 1:1.70.80.5 
Cauliflower Occasional 1:22.00.2 
Celery Occasional 1.6:10.80.1 
Corn Occasional 1:132.61.0 
Cucumber  Occasional 1:1.50.60.2 
Green Beans Frequently1:11.80.1Moderate oxalates
Green Peas In Moderation1:4.35.40.4 
Green Peas (snap pea and pod) In Moderation1:1.22.80.2 
Mushrooms (white) In Moderation0.1:14.00.0High in phosphorus
Okra Occasional 1.3:12.00.1 
Onion Never   Contains a toxin called thiosulphate.
Parsley Occasional 2.4:13.00.8 
Parsnips In Moderation1:21.20.3 
Potato, sweet Occasional 1:1.31.70.3 
Pumpkin Occasional 1:21.00.1 
Radicchio Occasional 1:21.40.3 
Radish Occasional 1:10.60.5 
Rhubarb Never   Toxic
Rutabaga Occasional 1:1.21.20.2 
Squash, Acorn Frequently1:10.80.1 
Squash, Butternut/WinterButternut pumpkin Frequently1.5:11.00.1 
Squash, Hubbard Frequently1:1.52.00.5 
Squash, Scallop Frequently1:21.20.2 
Squash, Spaghetti Frequently2:10.60.6 
Squash, Summer Frequently1:1.81.20.2 
Tomatoes Occasional 1:50.90.3 
Turnip Occasional 1:10.90.1 
Yams In Moderation1:3.21.50.2 
Yucca root Occasional 1:1.71.40.3 
Zucchini Occasional 1:4.42.70.4


Fruits

Fruit should be a treat (even healthy fruits!) and not more than 10% of the diet. Fruit is generally high in phosphorus.

Name:Alternate names:Feed:Ca:PProtein (%)Fat (%)Notes
Apple Occasional / Treat1:1.80.20.3 
Apricot Occasional / Treat1:1.41.40.4 
Avocado Never   Contains a toxin called persin.
Bananas Occasional / Treat1:3.31.00.5 
Blackberries Occasional / Treat1.5:10.70.4 
Blueberries Occasional / Treat1:1.60.70.4 
Cantaloupe Occasional / Treat1:1.50.90.3 
Cherries Occasional / Treat1:1.61.10.2 
Cranberries Occasional / Treat1:1.30.40.2 
Fig In Moderation / Treat2.5:10.80.3 
Grapes Occasional / Treat1.4:10.60.4Moderate oxalates
Guava Occasional / Treat1:1.30.80.6 
Honeydew Occasional / Treat1:1.70.50.1 
Kiwi Occasional / Treat1:1.51.00.4 
Mango In Moderation / Treat1:10.50.3Moderate oxalates, high vitamin A
Nectarines Occasional / Treat1:30.90.5 
Papaya In Moderation / Treat5:10.60.1High vitamin C - good treat food
Peaches Occasional / Treat1:2.40.70.1 
Pear  Occasional / Treat1:10.40.4 
Pineapple  Occasional / Treat1:10.40.4 
Plums Occasional / Treat1:2.50.80.6 
Pomegranate Occasional / Treat1:2.71.00.3Moderate oxalates
Raspberries In Moderation / Treat1:1.20.90.6Moderate oxalates
Star fruit Occasional / Treat1:40.50.4High oxalates
Strawberries Occasional / Treat1:1.40.60.4Moderate oxlates, high vitamin C
Watermelon Occasional / Treat1:10.60.4


Meat / Protein

Protein should be approximately 40% of the adult diet and 50% or more of the juvenile diet.

Name:Alternate names:Feed:Ca:PProtein (%)Fat (%)Notes
Butterworms In Moderation 16.25.2High in calcium, but cannot find reliable phosphorus information. May be too small for adult BTS.
Beef - lean, ground In Moderation    
Cat food (canned) Occasional   See specific brand's website for nutritional information and ingredients. Taurine present in cat food may not be ideal for BTS.
Chicken - breast (cooked) In Moderation   Typically boiled.
Chicken - liver / heart (cooked) In Moderation   Typically boiled.
CockroachDiscoid, Dubias Frequently   Good feeder. Gutload properly. Subadult have less chitin.
Crickets Occasional   Poor nutritional value, may carry pinworms. Better live feeders are available but crickets can provide a stimulating chase.
Dog food (canned) Frequently   See specific brand's website for nutritional information and ingredients. Many people use this as a staple protein source.
Earthworm Nightcrawler, Dew wormFrequently 11.71.5Good feeder. Ones sold for bait may have chemicals added to prolong their life, cannot find Ca:P information.
Egg  In Moderation1:3.412.610.6Can be fed raw, boiled etc.
Horn wormTomato wormFrequently    
Mealworm Occasional1:2520.312.7 
Pinky mouse Occasional1:1  High in fat. Pinkies have not developed bones yet, so low Ca.
Phoenix worm In Moderation1.5:117.39.4May be too small for adult BTS
Silkworm Frequently1:354.743.0Great feeder.
Snails Frequently   Great feeder. Wild snails can carry parasites or may have been exposed to toxins. Be sure to detox before feeding.
Superworms In Moderation1:1817.417.9 
Waxworms In Moderation1:715.522.2