BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Is fir bark alright to use? I would like to use Repti-bark or something of the type; I do not really like the look of aspen because I have a forest themed tank and the darker stuff looks better. If it is important that I use aspen shavings, I will. I would just like to know what is healthiest and/or best for burrowing.

Hi and welcome!!!

I use cypress mulch which sounds about what you are looking for. Repti-bark is also ok but expensive. Not sure about fir because most conifer barks / mulches contain aromatic compounds that aren't good for reptiles. But cypress mulch is fine and there are definitely other options that aspen.

Thanks for the welcome and reply

I was thinking Repti-bark because it can be rinsed and used again a couple times. But, now that you have given me the option of cypress mulch, I'll be sure to check it out! I think I will just try cypress and fir bark to see which is better; I am currently testing out the humidity and temperatures.

Thanks, again!

What species of bluey do you have? That will make a difference on how much humidity you want.

I wouldn't bother rinsing - just spot clean and throw out anything that gets pooped on and do a complete clean every 6-8 week or as necessary. If you keep up with spot cleaning it goes a long way. Cypress is great for burrowing and holding humidity. I love it for my Meraukes.

I do not have mine yet. I am testing out my habitat before I buy him/her. I haven't decided which species yet...it's so hard to decide!! But, I want to get a Northern or Tanimbar. I have my temperatures right, as of now, I still need to wait a couple days to make sure they do not fluctuate a lot, though. The humidity I still have to work with, but the substrate is really the main factor in that.

Way to go on getting everything set up and tested before purchasing!

Thanks! And wow , you have a lot of skinks!! Lucky!

amazing and good way of planning o__o thumbs up from me too.

myself i bought everything at once and set it up, reflecting on it now makes it sound really bad, luckily there were no complications just me being very worried.

Fatal_S wrote:Way to go on getting everything set up and tested before purchasing!

I third that!

CarsynBeth wrote:Thanks! And wow , you have a lot of skinks!! Lucky!

I know someone with more
I like cypress too
And welcome

Awesome! I'd love to have that many...but my mother would probably kick me out before she let that happen, haha. I have only barely been allowed the one I am going to get now. When I'm on my own, my house will probably be overrun with reptiles.

Thanks for the welcome!

Welcome. That is great you are setting up the terrarium before you get the skink. I did the same. I use coco fiber:


It holds humidity well. This is a Tanimbar and they don't are into some humidity. I think Northern's are more of an arid skink. They like it dry?

Yes, and I have decided I am going to get a Northern. So, I think I will be using cypress mulch. Thanks for all the suggestions, you guys! I will let you know how things are going once I get my little bluey!!

Coco fiber also makes a good hat! Haha, cute pic Josh

Welcome to the forum!

You're right! And thanks for the welcome!

I have low dust aspen shavings now and since it was so recommended that is what I chose. I would have rather used a darker substrate too and even though it says low dust I actually feel like something is stuck in my throat whenever Im around it. I may be allergic, who knows. I am wondering how upsetting/stressing it may be for my skink to change it? Everything is very new to her anyways as I have just had it a few days now. Where do you get cypress mulch? Like at a Home Improvement store? Reptile Bark is pricey? I like the looks of that I think.

It won't upset your skink at all to switch. Yes, Cypress mulch can be purchased at a home improvement store or even a store like Walmart in the garden center. I switched mine to cypress this past summer.

I think I know what it is now, cypress is still a lighter color right? It does not contain any dyes I assume?

It's natural color is reddish-brown. No dyes.

I think I might try that out, but i dont know how much luck I will have finding it in the winter time at the garden centers. Thanks!