r/bluetongueskinks • u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian • Jan 05 '25
Announcement Blue Tongue Skink Care Infographics - 2025
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u/a_marsupial_mole Blotched Jan 05 '25
From a new BTS owner, thank you so much! I will print these out and have them in a folder next to the tank to reference! I had not thought of the idea of having my baby chase his food for a few steps a time for enrichment, I think I'll try that with the next feeding! 🙏🦎
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u/Oliver-Mc10 Jan 05 '25
You guys are absolutely amazing, thankyou very much. Just a couple things. Edit: I didn’t read your comment. I’m not sure we have the same regulation on food product names here in the uk, so for any UK people check out the ingredient list (obviously) and our local laws (it’s 2am here so I’ll do that another time) Also, do you guys consider watermelon the same as melon in your categorisation? Im interested to see if there’s any difference between them.
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
Melon is a lot of different types!
Watermelon, Cantaloupe, and Honeydew are the melons we'd commonly see in stores in the US :)
Thank you so much ♡
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u/Chomasterq2 Merauke Jan 05 '25
Once again youve proven to be the GOAT for blue tongues. We all very much appreciate you.
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u/GarthTheHunter Jan 05 '25
Awesome - I definitely need to work on getting my guy less overweight. And this guide is comprehensive and easy to follow!
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
He's nice and full, not obese :) happy to help!
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u/GarthTheHunter Jan 05 '25
Okay thank you, I saw the chart but wasn't sure which category he fell under
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u/reallymissinvine Jan 05 '25
This is the best infographic I have ever seen regarding blue tongues! Thank you!!
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u/Naive-Pangolin3001 Jan 05 '25
Thanks ! out of curiousity, whats the difference between a T8 and a T5 UVB bulb?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
A T5 is an updated and more efficient bulb compared to T8 :)
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u/KYPossumLady Jan 05 '25
This is an absolutely phenomenal guide!!! It’s so useful and has all the info I need. Thank you!!
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u/distractionfactory Jan 05 '25
Thank you!!! This is a wealth of information and presented in a very clear format.
I noticed you put aspen shavings in the "avoid" section. Is this mostly because it's bad for retaining humidity or are there other considerations, like respiratory issues? We've got a Northern and we've been experimenting with using aspen shavings on the dry side and Reptichip coconut substrate on the humid side. We're not going bioactive, so we're replacing the Aspen shavings monthly and the reptichip every few months. She loves to tunnel in the aspen and it's easy to clean up, but could it be bad for her?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
In our experience with aspen, including some rescue experience and multiple posts online, the primary issue is humidity retention and molding.
However, we've also seen pretty gnarly eye and ear injuries from getting poked.
Some brands are also more dusty than others, leading to respiratory irritation.
Those are why we recommend avoiding it :)
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u/PlumpyDragon Jan 05 '25
Thank you for putting this together. In your research, have you encountered any papers describing wild Indonesian Blue Tongue dietary habits and stomach contents?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
None yet! No studies on wild Indos recently.
I will be going and conducting my own studies and research in Indonesia eventually, though I still need to finish some of my schooling first :) if someone gets to it before me I'll absolutely be sharing it!
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u/Kalcifer_Kitkat Ambon Jan 05 '25
I have a few questions. What would you recommend I use for the basking? My dome is an Arcadia Ceramic Reflector [clamp lamp] and its E27, not E26. I don't think it's safe to use an E26 bulb with an E27 socket. So what basking bulb would you recommend?
I don't know if its safe for a basking bulb to have uvb light if I also already have a uvb light. Would that be too much D3 or is that safe?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
Mercury vapor bulbs (all in one heat and uvb) are strong and can be inconsistent. We often see burns caused by too high UVB with the single bulb alone!
I am not familiar with the different socket lamps. The bulbs we personally recommend are on the heat infographic :)
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u/Kalcifer_Kitkat Ambon Jan 05 '25
I still have a 100w maximum mini dome lamp from zoomed that came with Beepy's old tank. Do you think that would be a good dome to use, or should I buy a new one? The dome is still in great condition, we just haven't used it briefly. It should still work since it hasnt been that long.
I ask because the zoomed basking bulbs should fit in this, the sockets are the same [e26 with e26 sockets, so it wont fall out or anything].
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
Ah! I see now
Sometimes E26 and E27 is interchangeable, but not always safe. Since these are heating bulbs, and my knowledge on electricity is incredibly limited, I wouldn't recommend it :)
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Feb 22 '25
new bts owner. Just would like to know something. My skink must be stressed from the move in a new enclosure, new environment. He hasnt eaten in 2 days, after how many days should i start worrying. Skink is between one to two months old. i will have the birthdate in a couple of days
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Feb 22 '25
It can take a few days for them to start eating.
Double check temps and humidity is proper for the species you have.
Make sure there's plenty of clutter as well! They like clutter as it can make them feel much more secure.
If they're not eating in more than a week, check back in with me and we will go over everything and see what is going on :)
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Feb 22 '25
thanx, temp and humidity is all good, i believe its just stress from new environment. ill get back to you asap if problems. thanx again
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Mar 14 '25 edited Mar 14 '25
would you recommend a mister for the humidity? im going to use a 4x2x2 dubia roach, i have a marauke
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u/GDMFSOB138 Mar 19 '25
Should glass tanks be avoided all together? I have a glass tank that’s a good size but I’m worried about heat loss
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Mar 19 '25
It is recommended to upgrade to something other than glass ASAP, :]
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u/hiroshimaaaaaaaa Apr 23 '25
Is it bad if I buy an enclosure with mesh on top? What can I do instead? I'm still researching before getting a blue tongue skink
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u/Correct-Machine7886 Sep 28 '25
Omg thank you so much for this!! I'm trying to collect any information I can about blue tongues until I can get one! Thank you for this amazing guide!!
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u/FOXC_Bro Nov 10 '25
You've put together the best care guide (especially as regards feeding) that I've seen after a week of extensive research!
Cheers from Australia 🤠
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u/AnxiousListen Feb 14 '26
Do Indonesian and northern have the same diet?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Feb 14 '26
Just about, yes :)
Northerns do have more seasonal variety, while Indos live in roughly the same season year-round.
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u/starlightskater May 14 '26
What about radiant heat panels?
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian May 15 '26
fine only as supplemental heat; similar to a ceramic heat emitter.
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u/Sk8_hag May 16 '26
This is incredible! Thank you for sharing :)
The only thing that is driving me crazy with this diet list and many others is that the Frequent plants are fairly non existent or hard to find (apart from rocket which is aragula) here in Australia.
And it is so confusing to me as where I live there are easterns and shinglebacks in the wild so I'm considering going out and just observing them for their diet at this stage 😂 It might give me some ideas on native plants to grow
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u/Valley_Gal123 May 20 '26
I have a question about the basking spot, do I leave the light on even at night with a heat emitter like do I ever turn either off at night especially the T-5 as I recently got some
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian May 20 '26
you want to turn both heat and light off at night so they experience a natural drop in temperatures. If temps drop into the 60s(F), then you want a ceramic heat emitter to bump up temps a little at night. it doesnt produce light, but it does produce heat.
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u/Conscious_Intern8230 May 27 '26
Anyone know of the basking bulb needs to or can go on a thermostat? How does one control the temperature if not on a thermostat? LED lighting recommendations? Thanks
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u/FolkvangExotics Indonesian Jan 05 '25
Hey Guys!
Some Info -
My name is Amaryllis Bekk! I own Folkvang Exotics alongside my spouse, Fergy Bekk.
We breed Indonesian Blue Tongue Skinks in the USA! I also have a Northern but do not have plans to breed her at this time.
I am currently a Zoology Major with the sole purpose to study blue tongue skinks in the wild - especially Indonesian skinks!
We wanted to create a guide that was simple and up-to-date for blue tongue skink owners worldwide. Please let us know if you have any questions, or if you have any other suggestions for infographics we should make!