BLUE TONGUE SKINKS

Hi. I'm thinking about purchasing my second BTS after I went to my local reptile store yesterday and saw that they had some amazing Northern Bluey's for sale (I have always planned on getting a second Bluey - this isn't an impulse buy). I use a 3 foot melamine enclosure for Bindi, my Eastern BTS, and was wondering whether I should purchase a 3 or 4 foot long melamine enclosure for the Northern BTS, considering the size that they can grow to?
Thanks

The minimum size for a blue tongue skink is a 3 foot by 18 inch enclosure. If you have the space for a larger enclosure then I'd say go for it, especially since northerns are one of the bigger sub species.

Btw how are you finding your melamine enclosure? I don't have a skink yet, and I'm planning to get a custom melamine enclosure made for me.

Hi! I have quite a few of them, so space is an issue so they all do not have four foot enclosures but some do. I'd go with the larger one, if you're not worried about space. 48L x 24W is great for a Northern. My smallest is 36 x 24. They're all happy where they are and are content in their cages. (Except when the males go into season and tear everything up and constantly pace!) Can't wait to see your new one!

Northerns would definitely need a 4 footer. Some easterns can grow almost as big as Northerns though just so you know. My 2 year old Eastern for example is HUGE and is way too big for the the 3 foot tank he’s in. (I even saw another eastern at the reptile expo that’s bigger, bigger than all the Northerns that are on display!) so your lil nugget would need an upgrade eventually if she happens to be on the larger scale.

FluffySkink wrote:The minimum size for a blue tongue skink is a 3 foot by 18 inch enclosure. If you have the space for a larger enclosure then I'd say go for it, especially since northerns are one of the bigger sub species.

Btw how are you finding your melamine enclosure? I don't have a skink yet, and I'm planning to get a custom melamine enclosure made for me.

Thank you for your reply luckily I found a nice area to put a 4 foot enclosure yesterday, so I think 4 foot melamine enclosure it is!
Personally, I love the melamine enclosures because they come with air vents to allow air flow, globe sockets for heat lamps and UVB bulbs and also an inbuilt thermostat. I also find that they’re good for giving the lizard some privacy, because there isn’t glass all around the enclosure. In saying this, melamine tanks aren’t for everyone, but I do prefer them because my BTS doesn’t require humidity in their enclosure so the melamine does well in the dry environment my skink (soon to be skinks!) require. Hope this helps

splashy07 wrote:Hi! I have quite a few of them, so space is an issue so they all do not have four foot enclosures but some do. I'd go with the larger one, if you're not worried about space. 48L x 24W is great for a Northern. My smallest is 36 x 24. They're all happy where they are and are content in their cages. (Except when the males go into season and tear everything up and constantly pace!) Can't wait to see your new one!

Thanks for your reply I have decided that I am going to get a 4 foot enclosure, because luckily just yesterday I found a nice area to put the enclosure yay! I’m getting my new BTS this Sunday, and I can’t wait! Will be posting pictures as soon as he/she has settled in

Y33T wrote:Northerns would definitely need a 4 footer. Some easterns can grow almost as big as Northerns though just so you know. My 2 year old Eastern for example is HUGE and is way too big for the the 3 foot tank he’s in. (I even saw another eastern at the reptile expo that’s bigger, bigger than all the Northerns that are on display!) so your lil nugget would need an upgrade eventually if she happens to be on the larger scale.

Thanks for your reply Wow! I didn’t know that Easterns can sometimes out grow Northerns! I’ll be keeping an eye on Bindi to see how she’s going in her 3 foot enclosure, but for now she’s still so small I’ll be getting a 4 foot tank for my new BTS, and I can’t wait until this Sunday when I’m getting the enclosure and the lizard!